7 Things to Know About the Path to Citizenship

I’ve been hearing, and you have, too, about Obama’s proposed changes to the path to citizenship. As I listened, I realized that I didn’t know much about what it takes to become a U.S. citizen, so I really didn’t know what Obama was changing about the process. I figured the best thing to do was to research the basics on how one becomes a citizen of the United States of America. Here are seven quick facts about the process of becoming a citizen.

1. There are many benefits to being a U.S. citizen. Some of these are the right to vote, owning a U.S. passport, and possessing the right of freedom of expression. Plus, if one is a U.S. citizen, it makes the path to citizenship easier for their family members.

2. Before one can apply for citizenship, they have to have resided in America for five years, or three years if they’re married to a U.S. citizen. The government is pretty strict about this requirement. Applicants must have physically resided in the United States for a total of 30 months during those five years or 18 months of the previous three years for those who are married to U.S. citizens. Absences of six months to a year can prolong the process and jeopardize the outcome.

3. During the residency-requirement period, there are several things applicants can do to prepare for citizenship. They must learn English, because there is a test to take, which requires competency in speaking, reading, and writing. The test also requires a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government.

4. In addition to the things applicants should do, there are some activities that people should not engage in, if they want to be citizens. Some of these are, showing bad moral character by engaging in drunkenness, prostitution, and lying. Furthermore, certain crimes will ensure that one never becomes a citizen. These include, murder, rape, sex abuse of a child, violent assault, and drug trafficking.

5. The government Website, www.uscis.gov, contains many helpful resources for aspiring citizens, such as a welcome guide, which includes information, such as, how to get a job, a place to live, and how to send their kids to school.

6. There are test-prep materials on the government’s site, too, such as civics flash cards and links to citizenship/English classes.

7. After the completed the waiting period, an application must be completed. This can be found at www.uscis.gov

So there you have it. It’s no easy feat to become a citizen.

I should mention that I once watched a naturalization ceremony at our local courthouse. The atmosphere in the room was so full of hope and pride, the judge so encouraging and welcoming, that I had to wipe a tear away. I’m proud of our country, and I’m one of the lucky ones, who only had to be born to become a citizen of the United States of America.

Ann Silverthorn is a blogger who also writes about a wide variety of topics in numerous genres, including non-fiction, fiction, poetry, travel, and grant writing. She’s currently on a seven-things kick and presents seven-point content about a variety of topics. These seven points are easy to remember and share with your friends when the conversation wanes.

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