GRESK & SINGLETON, P.C.

NOTICÍAS DE

ABOGADO PABLO

TUESDAY MARCH 17TH 2026

A note from Abogado Pablo about naturalization, voting, and why now is the time to act.

The United States is navigating a difficult period. President Trump's disapproval rating stands at 54%, and only 44% of Americans approve of his job performance as the 2026 midterm elections approach.

Just 15 months into his second term, the president faces significant headwinds. The conflict with Iran poses a serious challenge to his broader agenda, including

immigration reform. Only 37% of Americans approve of his handling of immigration, and deportation numbers remain well below the administration's stated goals.

The Iran conflict is also rattling the global economy. Military strikes and retaliatory actions have driven up oil and gas prices, disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and increased fears of recession. Trump has said attacks will continue "until the enemy is totally and decisively defeated" — an approach many analysts believe limits room for diplomacy.

The 2026 midterms will be pivotal. All 435 House seats and one-third of the Senate are on the ballot. If the president's party loses either chamber, his legislative agenda stalls. Your voice matters — please make sure you vote.

I have reduced our legal fee by $1,250 for anyone pursuing U.S. citizenship. I look forward to helping you.

Have You Been Putting Off Citizenship? Read This.

Every week, I meet people here in Indiana who have built strong lives in this country. They are raising children, working hard, paying taxes, buying homes, opening businesses, and contributing to their communities in meaningful ways.

And yet, many lawful permanent residents who qualify for citizenship still have not applied.

Usually, it is not because they do not want to. Life gets busy. The process feels intimidating. Or they worry that something in their past might disqualify them.

If that sounds like you, I want to say this clearly: do not keep waiting.

Becoming a U.S. citizen is about much more than paperwork. It means:

No more green card renewals
Greater security when you travel
The possibility of petitioning for certain family members
The peace of knowing your future here is permanent

And it gives you something powerful: the right to vote.

That right matters. Elections shape our schools, our roads, our courts, and the laws that affect our families and businesses every day. In many local races, a small number of votes can decide the outcome. Our immigrant community has a strong voice — but only if we use it.

WHY THE TIMING MATTERS RIGHT NOW

Indiana's general election is on November 3, 2026, and voter registration closes 29 days before Election Day.

For many people starting the naturalization process now, the timeline to become a citizen and register in time for the 2026 election will be very tight. Most applicants in our area go through the USCIS Indianapolis Field Office, where recent processing data shows that about 80% of N-400 cases were completed in approximately 9.5 months over the last six months.

That means there is very little room for delay.

Even so, citizenship is bigger than one election. If you are eligible, applying now still puts you in position to vote in the 2028 presidential election and in every important local, state, and national election after that.

If you qualify, now is the right time to begin.

DO YOU QUALIFY? You May Be Closer Than You Think

Many permanent residents assume they probably do not qualify for citizenship when, in fact, they do. In general, you may be eligible if you:

Are at least 18 years old
Have had your green card for at least five years
- or three years if you are married to and living with a U.S. citizen.
Have maintained continuous residence and spent enough time physically present in the United States
Can pass the English and civics requirements, or qualify for an exception (more on this below)
Can show good moral character

Two areas cause the most concern: the English and civics test and good moral character.

THE ENGLISH AND CIVICS TEST

Many people assume they must complete the test in English with no exceptions or accommodations. That is not always true.

You may qualify for a medical exception if you have a physical disability, developmental disability, or mental impairment that affects your ability to meet the requirements. If approved, the English and civics requirements may be waived entirely.

Some applicants may also take the civics test in their native language if they:

Are 50 or older and have had a green card for at least 20 years, or
Are 55 or older and have had a green card for at least 15 years

And if you are 65 or older and have had a green card for at least 20 years, you may qualify for a simpler version of the civics test.

The bottom line: the rules are often more flexible than people realize. Do not assume you are disqualified before speaking with someone who understands the process.

GOOD MORAL CHARACTER: Don't Rule Yourself Out Too Soon

This is one of the biggest reasons people delay applying — not because they truly cannot qualify, but because they are afraid they cannot.

People often worry about:

Old traffic tickets
Tax issues
Prior arrests
Time spent outside the country

Sometimes these issues do matter. But often, they do not prevent citizenship at all.

The mistake is trying to guess on your own.

A short, confidential consultation can help you understand where you stand. In some cases, the answer is: yes, you are ready to apply now. In others, it may be: let's fix one issue first, then move forward.

Don't let uncertainty hold you back. Schedule your consultation today and take the guesswork out of your eligibility to become a U.S. citizen.

THE IMPORTANCE OF REPRESENTATION: A REAL LIFE SUCCESS STORY

Every year, thousands of immigrants walk into their naturalization interviews having studied for months, prepared to answer questions about U.S. history and government, and ready to take the final step toward citizenship.

But what many do not anticipate is how a single misunderstood word or phrase can put everything at risk. The process is not always straightforward, and even qualified applicants can face unexpected obstacles. That is exactly what happened to one of our clients this past summer — and it is a powerful reminder of why having an attorney by your side can make all the difference.

One question. That is all it took to nearly cost my client her dream of becoming a U.S. citizen.

This past summer, I accompanied a client to her N-400 naturalization interview. She passed her English reading, writing, and civics exams without issue. However, when it came time to review the eligibility questions — which include complex legal terminology — she began to struggle given that she was not completely proficient in English.

The officer grew increasingly impatient and began questioning the client's ability to comprehend English. Still, he proceeded until we reached the final question.

"If the law requires it, are you willing to perform noncombatant services in the U.S. armed forces?"

The client responded "No."

The officer asked again. "No."

A third time. "No."

At that point, the officer stated he would have to deny the application. He explained that he had asked the question three times and the client clearly did not understand it. I asked if I could explain the question, but the officer refused, citing the English comprehension requirement of the N-400.

Rather than concede, I directed the officer to the full language of the question as it appears on the form — which includes a built-in definition of "noncombatant services" that he had been omitting. The officer then read the complete question:

"If the law requires it, are you willing to perform noncombatant services (do something that does not include fighting in a U.S. war) in the U.S. armed forces?"

This time, the client understood. She answered "Yes."

She was recommended for approval and is now a proud U.S. citizen.

— Maizie L. Esparza, Attorney at Law, Gresk & Singleton, P.C.

WHAT THIS STORY TEACHES US

My client did not lack the ability or the desire to become a citizen. She lacked only a definition — one that the form itself provides but that the officer failed to read. Without representation in that room, her application would have been denied, and she may never have known why.

This is why representation matters. An immigration attorney does not just fill out paperwork. They stand beside you at the moments that matter most — prepared to advocate, to challenge errors, and to ensure the process is carried out fairly.

If you or someone you know has an upcoming USCIS interview, do not go alone. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation. Call 317-237-7911 or visit gresksingleton.com/consultation.

MY OFFER TO THE COMMUNITY: 50% OFF LEGAL FEES

I do not want cost to be the reason someone keeps putting this off. To help more members of our community take this step, our office is offering 50% off our legal fees for naturalization cases:

Regular Attorney Fee: $2,500
Discounted Attorney Fee: $1,250

For that flat fee, my team will:

Prepare and file your Form N-400
Guide you through the process from start to finish
Help you prepare for the civics and English requirements
Get you ready for your USCIS interview

Most importantly, an attorney from our office will go with you to the interview. You will not walk into that room alone.

STOP WAITING. TAKE THE NEXT STEP.

Too many people lose months and years because they keep telling themselves they will get to it later. Later turns into next year. And every year you wait is another year without the security, the freedom, and the voice that citizenship gives you.

You have worked hard to build your life here. If you are eligible, now is the time to protect that future and take the final step toward citizenship.

Call our office today at 317-237-7911 or visit gresksingleton.com/consultation to schedule your consultation.

Let's review your case, answer your questions honestly, and help you move forward with confidence.

— Paul "Pablo" Gresk

Gresk & Singleton, P. C.

150 E 10th Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204