What are the Benefits, Procedures and Requirements for Becoming a United States Citizen?

Prepared for

Immigrants and Residents applying for U.S. Citizenship

July 7, 2015

Table of Contents

Abstract i
Introduction 1
Background 1 Purpose 1 Thesis 1

Benefits of U.S. Citizenship 2

Requirements 3

Procedures 6

Conclusion 7

Abstract

This paper examines the requirements, procedures and benefits for becoming a United States citizen. With more and more people coming in the country immigration and citizenship processes have changed to be more selective but easier process. The goal is to provide valuable and free information to all those applying for U.S citizenship. This document draws upon mostly primary sources including, published books, lawyer interviews and material from immigration and government websites.

Introduction

Are you or someone you know looking to become a United Sates citizen? If so, this document will answer many of your questions saving you money and time during the process of becoming a citizen.

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside”
—from the Fourteenth Amendment.

In other words and according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, the definition of citizen is “a person who legally belongs to a country and has the rights and protection of that country”. For example, a U.S. citizen can be a person born in United States or a naturalized person with the right to live and work in U.S. Naturalization refers to the process by which a person from another country is given approval to become a U.S. citizen after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Upon the adoption of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, the first U.S. citizens were granted citizenship status retroactively. Neither an application for citizenship, nor the taking of an Oath of Allegiance was required at that time. True is that United States is a country born from immigrants since colonial times and with more and more people coming to United States nowadays either legally or illegally, the citizenship process and laws have change to be a more selective procedure, yet a easier process for immigrants seeking citizenship. According to 2013 census approximately 41.3 million immigrants live in United States. And it’s for all of you out there, that I’m writing this paper.
This document has the purpose of offering information to all persons, especially to immigrants looking to become U.S citizens and enjoy of the many opportunities, freedoms and rights that U.S. citizenship has to offer. Materials from different websites and books as well as immigration lawyer’s testimonies have been collected and put together in this document in order to provide accurate and valuable information to U.S citizenship applicants.
There are several requirements, procedures as well as benefits for becoming a United States citizen that everyone applying for citizenship should be aware of before starting their application process. First, I would like to mention some of the great benefits that U.S. citizenship brings along with.
Becoming a citizen of United States provide you with numerous benefits including being able to sponsor your family with a legal status in the U.S. For example: after becoming a citizen, you will be able to claim your parents, siblings and spouse and of course your kids. Adults in your family will receive a green card or permanent resident card up to 10 years and minor’s kids (18 or less years old) will be automatically granted citizenship.
Another excellent benefit of U.S. citizenship is that U.S. citizens can’t be deported, so you don’t have to live with the fear of facing deportation anymore.
In addition, citizens of United States have the privilege to get a U.S. passport that allows traveling the world for long periods of time without restrictions. During your trip as a citizen of U.S., you will be getting immediately assistance from U.S embassies and consulates around the globe and once the trip is over, U.S. citizens are welcomed back without facing immigration background check and extensive searches at the airports.
Moreover, as an American citizen you will have opportunities that residents and illegal immigrants don’t have including the right to vote, work for the federal government and run for office or become an elected official.
Before applying for United States citizenship applicants should know if they qualify for citizenship and if they meet eligibility requirements.
The most important eligibility requirements taken in consideration are: time of residency or continuous residence and physical presence in the country. * Continuous residence refers to the time a person have lived in U.S with a legal status such as green card or permanent resident. A minimum of 5 years is required for applicants to apply through the naturalization process and 3 consecutives years for spouses of U.S. citizens. That doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to leave the country during those 5 years but it’s recommended not to extend you stay abroad for more than 6 months unless you are an active member of the military. * Physical presence refers to the number of days the applicant must physically be present in the United States up to the date of filing for naturalization and it can be demonstrated through documentation. For example: applicants for naturalization are required to demonstrate physical presence in the United States for at least 30 months with the 5 year period before filing their application and eighteen months within the 3 year period in the case of qualified spouses of U.S. citizens. It can be demonstrated by showing bills, tax returns, pay stubs, etc.
In general Eligibility Requirements for Naturalization include: * The applicant must be age 18 or older at the time of applying for naturalization. * The applicant must be Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) for at least five years before being eligible for naturalization. * The applicant must have continuous residence in the United States as legal permanent resident for at least five years immediately preceding the date of filing the application and up to the time of admission to citizenship. * The applicant must be physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the five years before the date of filing the application. * The applicant must have lived within the State with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence for at least three months prior to the date of filing. * The applicant must demonstrate good moral character for five years prior to filing for naturalization, and during the period leading up to the administration of the Oath of Allegiance. Good moral character refers to qualities such as honesty and respect for the rights of others as well as respect the law. * The applicant must have an attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution and be well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law. * The applicant must be able to read, write, and speak and understand English and have knowledge of U.S. history and government .
The table below shows the relationship between the most common categories of applicants and the requirements to meet in order to qualify for naturalization, the process by which immigrants are granted citizenship. Other types of applicants not included in the table are: * 18 years old and served on a vessel operated by U.S. * 18 years old and an employee under contract to the U.S government. * 18 years or more and employed for 5 years or more by a U.S non-profit organization. * 18 years old and spouse of a U.S. citizen who belong of the following categories: * A member of the U.S. Armed Forces; * An employee or an individual under contract to the U.S. Government;
An employee of an American institution of research recognized by the Attorney General; * An employee of an American-owned firm or corporation engaged in the development of foreign trade and commerce for the United States; * An employee of a public international organization of which the United States is a member by law or treaty; or * A person who performs ministerial or priestly functions for a religious denomination organization with a valid presence in the United States and you will be proceeding to join your spouse whose work abroad under orders of the qualifying employer will continue for at least 1 year after the date you will be naturalized.

After verifying qualification and meeting the respective requirements, it’s time to choose the citizenship path or procedure that’s best for your situation.
The most common procedure is naturalization for applicants with at least 5 years residency in United States and starts by filling the form N-400, application for naturalization. Applicants must send items such as photocopy of resident card front and back, two passport photographs and a check or money order for the application fee for a total of $680 including the fingerprints fee.
In the case of spouses of United States citizens applying for naturalization four items are required; evidence that your spouse is a U.S citizen such as birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or current passport. Other items are current marriage license, proof of termination of previous marriages and documents referring to you and your spouse such as tax returns, bank accounts, and children birth certificates etc.
Once applications are approved, USCIS (United Sates Citizenship and Immigration Services) will send out two letters with appointments for finger printing and day and time you must present to USCIS office for an interview. The day of the interview you will be required to take an English comprehension, reading and writing test as well as a U.S civic test to verify your knowledge. The last step of the Naturalization process is the Oath of Allegiance ceremony where you will be given your Naturalization Certificate.
There are other paths to citizenship that apply to military residents and their family and citizenship through parents.
Military Personnel and Family members are recognized for the enormous sacrifice they made for the country and they are eligible for expedite naturalization after meeting the respective requirements. The fee for the application is $0.
Citizenship through parents can be obtained two different ways at birth or after birth but before 18 years old. Both or one parents are required to be a U.S citizen at the time of birth. Becoming a U.S citizen is now within your reach and offers many privileges such as the right to vote, travel with U.S. passport and bring family members to United States. It’s important for applicants to understand the eligibility requirements and qualifications before applying in order to choose the appropriate path for citizenship, which includes naturalization for applicants and spouses with continuous residency and particular cases, military personal and their family and naturalization through parents. For more information and help about other immigration programs that can favor immigrants and their families visit United States Citizenship and Immigration services website. “If you decide to apply to become a U.S. citizen, you will be showing your commitment to the United States and your loyalty to its Constitution. In return, you are rewarded with all the rights and privileges that are part of U.S. citizenship”

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[ 1 ]. “Naturalization”. uscis.gov. Web. n.d. 11 July 2015
[ 2 ]. Zong, Jie. “Frequently Requested Statics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States”. mpi Migration Policy Institute. Web. 26 Feb 2015. 11 July 2015
[ 3 ]. What Are the Benefits and Responsibilities of Citizenship? uscis.gov. n.d. 11 July 2015. PDF file.
[ 4 ]. Chris, McKeon. Personal interview. 11 July 2015.
[ 5 ]. USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12 “Citizenship & Naturalization”, Part D “General Naturalization Requirements”. uscis.gov. Web. n.d. 12 July 2015.
[ 6 ]. “Who is Eligible for Naturalization”. uscis.gov. Web. n.d. 12 July 2015.
[ 7 ]. Newman, John J. “American Naturalization process and Procedures “. Indianapolis. 1985. Print
[ 8 ]. “Citizenship for Military Personnel” & “Citizenship through Parents”. uscis.gov. Web. Last updated 28 Oct 2014, 13 July 2015
[ 9 ]. “The Value of Citizenship”. uscis.gov. Web. Last updated 17 January 2013, 15 July, 2015.