Obtaining U.S. citizenship is no game, on the contrary. It is becoming more and more difficult, especially after the tightening of immigration policies under Trump, and the consequent changes in the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. There are many requirements that must be met in order to obtain residency in the United States, which is important to note is not the same as holding a Green Card.
Some of the groups that may be eligible for naturalization include people married to a U.S. citizen who have had legal resident status for a minimum of 3 years, individuals belonging to the U.S. military, whether active or veterans, and the children of U.S. citizens. The most common way to obtain nationality is by having been a legal resident for a minimum of five years. Once this basic requirement is met, many more must be fulfilled, such as being at least 18 years old when submitting the naturalization application (Form N-400), or taking an oath of allegiance to the United States.
There are 10 steps to follow according to USCIS to obtain citizenship, but fulfilling them does not guarantee anything at all. It will be USCIS that makes the final decision, based on your application and whether or not you meet the eligibility requirements.
U.S. citizenship
Since Trump had the bright idea of tightening the migration policies of the United States, those who emigrate in search of a better life in the country find it increasingly difficult. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has made announcements explaining that even having a Green Card is no longer a permanent situation, but cases will be reviewed again. However, for those who are in the process of applying for naturalization, it is important that they keep in mind all the steps to follow, ensuring they meet all the requirements to avoid any setbacks, or in the worst case, to have their application denied.
What are the requirements to be eligible?
If you are a holder of a Green Card and can prove that you have resided for a minimum of 5 years in the United States, you still have an obstacle course of requirements ahead. According to USCIS, the requirements to be eligible for citizenship are as follows:
- Be at least 18 years old at the time of filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
- Demonstrate physical presence in the United States for at least 30 months out of the past five years.
- Have resided for at least three months in the state or USCIS district with jurisdiction over their place of residence.
- Be a person of good moral character.
- Show a commitment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution.
- Be able to read, write, and speak basic English.
- Possess a basic understanding of U.S. history, government, and civic principles.
- Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.
The 10 steps to follow
As if the list of eligibility requirements weren’t enough, USCIS outlines the steps to obtain U.S. citizenship (or at least to attempt it):
- Determine if you are already a U.S. citizen.
- Confirm your eligibility for naturalization.
- Prepare your N-400 form, Application for Naturalization.
- Submit an N-400 form and pay the fees.
- Attend your biometrics screening appointment, if applicable.
- Complete the interview.
- Receive the USCIS decision on your N-400 form.
- Receive a notice to take the Oath of Allegiance.
- Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.
- Understand American Citizenship.
Must knows
Neither the fact of meeting all the mentioned requirements, nor completing all the steps listed by USCIS guarantees that a person will obtain citizenship. It will be USCIS that is responsible for reviewing the application and determining if the eligibility requirements are met. Furthermore, it is important to remember that holding a Green Card does not mean being a citizen of the United States, but rather having a legal residency visa. A citizen has a series of rights and obligations that a person with a Green Card cannot enjoy, making it essential to understand the difference.
Did you know that USCIS requires you to bring your own interpreter to your appointments?