Citizenship

A foreign citizen or national can become a U.S. citizen through a process called naturalization. The privilege of citizenship requires allegiance to the United States. In return, a citizen is entitled to its protection. Many permanent residents choose to further formalize their relationship to the United States each year. They are motivated by loyalty and love of their adopted country, as well as an interest in the benefits they will receive as citizens. It makes sense to hire an attorney to help you with naturalization - the application must be completed correctly, and the applicant must pass two tests to be naturalized.

The government provides a range of publications to explain the naturalization process in detail. A Guide to Naturalization available through the USCIS, may be a useful starting point for your inquiries.

Requirements for Naturalization

To become a naturalized citizen of the United States, a foreign national first must meet several legal standards:

Entry, Residence, and Physical Presence: The applicant must lawfully enter the country and gain legal permanent resident status. After becoming a legal resident, a foreign national must reside in the United States continuously for five years (or three years for spouses of American citizens). During that period, he or she must be physically present in the country for at least fifty percent of the time. This "probationary" period allows the foreign national to become fully acclimated to American life and systems so that he or she can fully participate in the national community upon becoming a citizen.

Age: A naturalization applicant must be at least eighteen years old. Parents or adoptive parents can file applications on behalf of children under this age with their petitions. Most children receive derivative citizenship with their parents, and need not satisfy the five-year residence requirement.

Literacy and Education: The applicant must possess the ability to understand, speak, read, and write basic English. Certain older applicants may receive an exemption from this requirement if their residence is of long standing. Applicants must also demonstrate knowledge of U.S. history, politics, and government. USCIS administers an examination to applicants that they must pass to qualify for naturalization. Here are some sample civics questions.

Moral Character: Applicants must show their good moral character, and that they sustained this standard throughout their residence in the United States. While this standard is hard to define, courts have found habitual drunkenness, adultery, polygamy, gambling, and perjury to be inconsistent with good moral character.

Attachment to Constitutional Principles: Applicants must show they are attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States.

Oath of Allegiance to the United States: The applicant must pledge allegiance to the United States, renouncing other national allegiances. The pledge includes an obligation to support the Constitution and to bear arms on behalf of the United States if required.

Benefits of Citizenship

A U.S. citizen enjoys many rights and privileges that are not available to non-citizens. Included among these rights and privileges are:

Voting. The privilege to participate in government by electing those who create, debate, and enforce the law.

Holding Public Office. The privilege to be elected and to serve in any public office (except that of the Vice-President or the President of the United States).

Traveling. The privilege of having a U.S. passport allowing the freedom to travel, as well as to receive government protection and assistance when traveling abroad.

Extending Citizenship to Your Children. Permanent resident children under the age of eighteen, who are in the legal and physical custody of the naturalizing parents automatically become U.S. citizens when their parents become naturalized. Children born after naturalization also receive citizenship.

Reuniting Families. The privilege of helping immediate relatives (spouses, parents, minor and unmarried children) obtain their visas without extended delay.

Read More . . .