Naturalization in America
Naturalization is defined as the acquisition of citizenship or nationality by a person who was not a citizen or from the country when he or she was born. Immigration and naturalization have always been intertwined, as naturalization is the goal for all individuals immigrating to another country. Generally speaking, naturalization requires that the applicant be a legal resident for a certain amount of time and swear to uphold the laws of the country. However, naturalization in America is a bit more complicated. It requires the individual to be a permanent resident, or a green card holder, before naturalization is even considered. According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), people may be considered for naturalization if:
* You have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years and meet all other eligibility requirements.
* You have been a permanent resident for 3 years or more and meet all eligibility requirements to file as a spouse of a U.S. citizen.
* You have qualifying service in the U.S. armed forces and meet all other eligibility requirements.
* Your child may qualify for naturalization if you are a U.S. citizen, the child was born outside the U.S., the child is currently residing outside the U.S., and all other eligibility requirements are met.
These eligibility requirements differ according to each specific situation, but generally involve being over 18, having 5 years of residency, and being able to read, write, and speak English. Additionally, immigration and naturalization requires that the immigrant have an understanding of U.S. history and government as well as being considered a person of good moral character, and not prone to breaking the law. While these requirements seem relatively simple, achieving naturalization is not easy. However, many Americans achieve their citizenship through their parents, as they will automatically achieve citizenship if their parents do before their children reach the age of 18.
Even if an individual meets all of the requirements, they will be required to take a naturalization test. For those having to deal with immigration and naturalization, the test is the final step in obtaining citizenship in the United States. The test may seem simple and trivial for American citizens, but for immigrants, the test can pose some trouble. At the test, a USCIS officer will test the individual’s ability to read, write, and speak English, as well as test their knowledge of civics. The individual will be required to read and write one out of three sentences correctly in English and speak English during the interview. Additionally, the individual will be required to answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly. If the individual fails, he or she can retake that portion of the test between 60 and 90 days of the test date.
Immigration and naturalization are part of a larger immigration system, which many Americans consider broken. Many immigrants may take advantage of naturalization through marriage, leading to marriages aimed only at obtaining US citizenship.
