What Are the Benefits of Being a United States Citizen?
Just as there are many unique benefits to being a lawful permanent resident of the United States of America, there are also additional benefits if you can navigate the pathway towards citizenship. In addition to the rights afforded to green card holders, U.S. citizens also have the right to vote in elections, obtain a United States passport, receive a higher immigration preference for immediate relatives and family-based immigration, and have the right to run for public office.
There are a few different ways to become a U.S. citizen.
The first form of obtaining citizenship is by acquisition. If both your parents were United States citizens and married at the time of your birth, you will automatically be considered a citizen if at least one of the parents lived in the US or its territories when you were born. If you were born after November 14th, 1986, and your parents were married but only one of your parents was a U.S. citizen when you were born, there will be a physical presence requirement for the United States citizen parent. That parent must have physically resided in the United States of America or its territories for at least five years prior to you being born. Employment in specific international organizations or the U.S. government and honorable service in the U.S. armed forces can count towards physical presence, even if they lived abroad. To claim citizenship through acquisition if you reside within the United States, you must complete the application for a citizenship certificate. If you currently reside outside the United States and wish to obtain citizenship through acquisition, you must contact your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Another way to become a U.S. citizen through your parents is if you are a green card holder and your parents become U.S. citizens before you turn 18. This process, where a parent naturalizes you before your 18th birthday, is a way of obtaining citizenship through derivation. To claim citizenship via derivation, complete Form N-600 or apply for a U.S. passport.
Lawful permanent residents who meet specific eligibility requirements may obtain citizenship through naturalization. Other ways of becoming a United States citizen include seeking dual nationality or being adopted by a citizen.
Are You Eligible to Apply for U.S. Citizenship?
To be eligible to apply for citizenship through the naturalization process, an applicant must meet all the following criteria:
· Be a legal permanent resident
· Be at least 18 years old
· Be prepared to take the oath of allegiance to the United States of America
· Have a basic understanding of how to read, write, and speak English, with some exceptions
· Have good moral character
· Maintain physical presence or continuous residence within the USA for a certain length of time
· Pay the $725 fee or qualify for a waiver
· While some exceptions apply, applicants must usually have a basic knowledge of U.S. civics
In most immigration cases, applicants must have been a lawful permanent resident for at least five years before they can apply to become citizens. Legal permanent residents married to U.S. citizens can apply for citizenship after three years of green card status.
What is the Naturalization Process?
The first step in applying to become a United States citizen is to complete and file Form N-400, the application for naturalization. A filing fee and a biometrics fee will need to be submitted along with the application. You may qualify for a partial or full fee waiver if your income falls below a certain threshold. After the application for naturalization has been submitted, USCIS will send you a notice to schedule an appointment for biometrics. At this appointment, they will take your fingerprints and send them to the FBI for a criminal background check.
After background checks have been completed, USCIS schedules an interview with you. During the interview, you will be asked several questions and tasked with completing English and civics tests. Once these tests and the interview have concluded, USCIS offices send you a written notice about your application. The United States government can grant, continue, or deny your application.
If USCIS grants your application, you will be asked to take an oath of allegiance at a naturalization ceremony. If your application is continued, you must submit additional information to USCIS for consideration. Applications can also be continued if applicants fail either their English or civics tests. Some applications will be denied. Reasons for denials can include the following: the failure to meet the physical presence requirements, failure to show good moral character, or the belief that you committed fraud or were dishonest at some point during the application or interview process.
Do Applicants Need to Pass an English Test in the Naturalization Process?
The English tests that unfold in the naturalization proceedings have three parts: reading, writing, and speaking. You must read at least one out of three sentences correctly for the reading portion. You must correctly write at least one of the three sentences for the writing test. USCIS officers will judge your ability to speak English during the interview.
You may be exempt from taking an English test in the following Instances:
· You have a physical or mental impairment
· You are at least 55 years old and have been a green card holder for at least 15 years
· You are at least 50 years old and have been a legal permanent resident for at least 20 years
If you are exempt from the necessity of an English test, you can have your interview and civics test in your chosen language. However, you must bring your own interpreter.
What is Involved in the U.S. Civics Test?
Applicants must show a basic understanding of the United States government and history. A USCIS officer will ask you approximately 10 questions about U.S. civics, and those 10 questions are chosen from a list of a hundred or more. You will be required to answer at least six out of the 10 questions correctly.
You may be exempt from meeting the basic government and historical knowledge requirements if you have a mental or physical impairment that affects your ability to learn and remember these facts.
Contact Our Michigan Law Firm to Schedule Your Initial Consultation with an Experienced Immigration Attorney Today
For many, the pathway to citizenship is the long and winding road to the American Dream. There are many obstacles on the way to becoming a U.S. citizen, including failing to show that you are of good moral character, misrepresenting yourself during the application process, filling out documents incorrectly, or missing necessary documentation altogether. For legal assistance throughout the application process, it is highly recommended that you work with an experienced attorney who is well-versed in America’s immigration laws.
Our law firm has extensive experience representing clients in various legal matters, including helping Michigan immigrants seek United States citizenship through naturalization. To learn more about how we may be of valuable legal assistance to you in this challenging scenario, please contact our legal team to schedule a case review today.
Get in touch with us by calling us at 248-290-9962.