If you’re an immigrant to the United States and want to become a naturalized American citizen, be prepared for it to take a long time. “Naturalization is the process by which [a person] who is not a citizen of a country is able to acquire citizenship.” It’s a complicated, multi-step procedure that takes place over a number of years. It’s not uncommon for people to live in the U.S. for 15 or 20 years before they become a citizen. Part of the reason for that is immigrants seeking naturalization must live in the U.S. for a minimum of five years before they can even apply, and they become indifferent to the need for citizenship. My curiosity about the subject has been enticed by a recent event.
Living in Arizona, “a border state,” we encounter Hispanic people from Mexico every day. Our landscapers, the crew that cleans our home, the guy who delivers our groceries, and the craftsman who modified our tub shower into a walk-in are a few of the many immigrants we encounter every week. Most of them love living in the U.S., and work hard, show up every day, are accountable, and are trying to make a better life for their family. However, most do not speak English, or speak it so poorly, that communication is difficult.
According to the department of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), there are ten steps that must be completed before one can become a naturalized citizen. Some steps are simple and easy, while others have multiple requirements for completion. The application process on average take 8 months to complete, with a range of 6 months to one year being the norm.
The first hurdle one jumps toward naturalization is the decision to go through the multi-step process. It’s quite involved and requires a strong commitment. For some, that’s a very big decision because it sometimes requires the individual to leave behind the heritage, customs, traditions, and language of his/her home country, and commit to the life, customs, and language of the United States. For most people, the commitment is a permanent life change while for others it is done as a matter of convenience, eg. an immigrant marries a U.S. citizen. A lot of people have dual citizenships (their home country and the U.S.), but most seek only to become an American.
The impetus for this blogpost is a 48 year old Hispanic man named Cristobal. Cris was part of the crew who landscaped our front and back yards seven years ago. When our landscape projects were done, Cris became the guy who has trimmed, manicured, and maintained our landscaping every month since. He is reliable, and does an excellent job. Cris came to AZ about 30 years ago. He has married, fathered two children, and maintained a business for the 30 years he has resided here. BUT Cris has never become an American citizen—that is, until recently.
I’ve asked him several times the details of his life and if he was a U.S. citizen. Until recently he has always said “no.” In November, he shared with me that his wife had just become a U.S. citizen, but he didn’t mention if he intended to apply. BUT in early January, after his monthly visit, he told me he had completed the application process and would be sworn in as a U.S. citizen the next week. I was very happy for him and congratulated him on his accomplishment. That got me to thinking about what Cris had to do to become a citizen—how long it took, how much it cost, what hurdles he had to clear.
As I said above, becoming a U.S. citizen is a years long commitment. The application process itself takes on average 8 months, usually in the range of 6-12 months. USCIS has identified 10 steps to citizenship. I will list all 10 steps first, then follow with details of each.
STEP 1: Determine if you are already a citizen.
STEP 2: Determine if you are eligible to become a U.S. citizen.
STEP 3: Complete form N-400.
STEP 4: Submit form N-400 and pay the required fees.
STEP 5: Go to your biometrics appointment.
STEP 6: Complete a live interview.
STEP 7: Receive a decision from USCIS on your form N-400.
STEP 8: Pass an English language test and Civics test.
STEP 9: Receive a notice to take the Oath of Allegiance.
STEP 10: Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America.
- Determine if you’re already a citizen: If you were not born in the U.S. and “did not receive citizenship via your parents,” you are NOT a citizen.
2. Eligibility requirements: You must be 18 years old, have been a “lawful permanent
resident of the U.S. for at least five years,” and have been “physically present in the U.S. for
at least half of that time.” Be of “good moral character.” Be able to read, write, and speak
basic English. Have knowledge of U.S. history and government.
3. Complete form N-400: U.S. Dept. of Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) form N-400 is a
14-page comprehensive form that records demographic, biographic, employment, marital,
travel, and background information on the applicant, spouse, and dependents. It is an
absolutely essential document required for citizenship.
4. Submit form N-400 and pay required fees: In addition to Form N-400, the applicant must
submit proof of marital status, military service, and disability depending on their
circumstance. Also 2 passport-style photos with your name and “A-number” written on the
back, if you currently live out of the U.S. Application fee of $725 is also submitted to
USCIS. These forms must be translated into English.
5. Attend a BIOMETRICS appointment: Once your application package is submitted, you
are given an appointment to get your biometrics scanned. Biometrics are your unique
physical characteristics that identify you specifically (a scar, mole, tattoo, physical trait, eye
color, etc.). The FBI uses this information to do a thorough background check which must
be completed before the naturalization process can continue.
6. Live interview: Once the background check is completed, you are scheduled for a live
interview in which further information is gained and the applicant is closely observed.
7. Receive a decision from the USCIS: Once your application is accepted, you are deemed
eligible for naturalization.
8. Pass English Language and government information (Civics) tests: These tests are very
comprehensive. The civics test has 100 questions, and covers the applicants knowledge of
U.S. history and government. The English language proficiency test determines the
applicant’s ability to read, write, speak, and understand English. The applicant has two
opportunities to pass these tests. The English test is waived if the applicant is 50 years old
and has lived in the U.S. for at least 20 years OR is 55 years old and has lived here for at
least 15 years. The ability to speak and understand English is evaluated during the live
interview. With the civics test, the applicant demonstrates a knowledge of the history,
principles, and form of government of the U.S. Failure of any part of the tests taken a
second time results in denial of naturalization.
9. Receive notice to take the Oath of Allegiance to the U.S.: If all parts of the application
process are complete and tests have been passed, you are invited to attend a
naturalization ceremony to take the Oath of Allegiance.
10. Take the Oath of Allegiance: By taking this oath, you become a naturalized citizen. You
relinquish your permanent resident card and receive a certificate of naturalization. Now you
can vote in federal elections, run for elected office, be employed in a government job, and
receive Social Security and Medicare.
So, $725 and 8 months later, after applying, waiting, and moving step by step, you finally reach your goal. Nearly every applicant feels the time and effort we’re worth it. Almost never do you hear someone express dismay or regret over their decision to become a U.S. citizen. It is a commitment that is very much worth the effort. I think Cristobal would agree. His wife’s decision to become a citizen may have helped him decide to make the effort, too.
References: https://www.thespanishgroup.org/blog/the-5-steps-to-becoming-a-us-citizen.
USCIS Form N-400/application for Naturalization.
https://www.us is.gov/Civics (history and government) Questions for the Naturalization test.
Like !!
Thanks for the idea.