For many immigrants, citizenship is the ultimate goal. They dream of becoming a citizen and staying in the United States of America for the rest of their lives. Naturalization is the process that allows foreign nationals to become United States citizens. Many people put off filing naturalization paperwork or may assume that they are not eligible.
What are the basic expectations for the naturalization process?
Immigrants must meet certain standards
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) maintains and enforces rules regarding naturalization. Only immigrants who are legally adults are typically eligible to naturalize. In most cases, they are subject to residency requirements.
They need to have lawfully resided in the United States for at least five years in many cases. The residency requirements drop to three years when an immigrant is the spouse of a United States citizen. The rules are somewhat different for those who qualify for citizenship through military service.
They have to undergo a background check ensuring that they have demonstrated good moral character They also have to prepare for a complex official process.
Immigrants must apply for naturalization
The USCIS requires the submission of specific paperwork and the payment of a fee to begin the naturalization process. The organization then performs a thorough background check. Those who may be eligible for naturalization must attend a naturalization interview. During that interview, they answer questions about their personal history and their reason for naturalizing. There may also be questions about any issues with the application or discrepancies in the paperwork.
The immigrant then needs to complete two tests. The USCIS administers a Civics test and an English language test during the naturalization interview. The Civics test is an oral test where the interviewer asks 10 questions. The applicant must get at least six of the questions right to pass.
They must also pass a test establishing their proficiency in the English language. This test is partially verbal and partially written. They must speak in English and demonstrate an understanding of spoken English. They also need to show their ability to read and write in English.
Individuals who pass the tests are then eligible to become naturalized citizens, a process that takes place at a ceremony where they swear an oath. Those who fail the testing process have the option of retaking the test once. If they do not improve their performance the second time, they may have to begin the naturalization process over again.
Knowing the requirements for naturalized citizenship can help immigrants feel more confident about pursuing their dreams. Citizenship is accessible to many immigrants who understand the process and have the right support.