Although many of us aspire to become American citizens, not all of us may be eligible. Obtaining American citizenship is a long and tedious process. Paper work definitely takes a significant amount of your patience and resources. Aside from paper work that you need to accomplish, there are also requirements that you need to submit.
One of the requirements is proof of unlawful, continuous residence in the United States. Once you are a permanent resident, you will be asked to present the I-551 Alien Registration Receipt Card, also called "Green Card", before you can apply for citizenship. The resident must also show proof of stay in the United States for at least five years without leaving the country for more than a year. If not, then the resident must first complete a continuous five-year residence before applying.
Most residents can apply for American citizenship, except those who faced charges on prostitution, polygamy, child support for their minor children, or perjury in order to receive an immigration benefit. They are considered as applicants who do not have good moral character. Such assessment is usually conducted by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.
To obtain citizenship also means to be able to communicate in English. Applicants should be able to write, speak, and read English and pass the language test carried out by immigration officials. Applicants who are exempted from the language tests are only those who have legally resided in the United States for 15 years or more, those who are over 55 years old and resided for 20 years or more, or those who are not able to learn English due to mental or physical illness.
Residents can only be allowed to obtain citizenship only if they understand the history and government of the United States. Such requirement is often measured by a test which includes questions such as who was the first president of the United States, who elects congress, and others. Exemptions from this test are only given to those with disabilities which prevent them from studying the United States history and government.
Lastly, applicants will also be asked to pledge allegiance to the United States. It sounds easy, but there are cases when applicants cannot do so because of certain religious convictions. If this is your case, then you may consult a lawyer from an immigration law firm regarding a request for an equivalent oath.
One of the requirements is proof of unlawful, continuous residence in the United States. Once you are a permanent resident, you will be asked to present the I-551 Alien Registration Receipt Card, also called "Green Card", before you can apply for citizenship. The resident must also show proof of stay in the United States for at least five years without leaving the country for more than a year. If not, then the resident must first complete a continuous five-year residence before applying.
Most residents can apply for American citizenship, except those who faced charges on prostitution, polygamy, child support for their minor children, or perjury in order to receive an immigration benefit. They are considered as applicants who do not have good moral character. Such assessment is usually conducted by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.
To obtain citizenship also means to be able to communicate in English. Applicants should be able to write, speak, and read English and pass the language test carried out by immigration officials. Applicants who are exempted from the language tests are only those who have legally resided in the United States for 15 years or more, those who are over 55 years old and resided for 20 years or more, or those who are not able to learn English due to mental or physical illness.
Residents can only be allowed to obtain citizenship only if they understand the history and government of the United States. Such requirement is often measured by a test which includes questions such as who was the first president of the United States, who elects congress, and others. Exemptions from this test are only given to those with disabilities which prevent them from studying the United States history and government.
Lastly, applicants will also be asked to pledge allegiance to the United States. It sounds easy, but there are cases when applicants cannot do so because of certain religious convictions. If this is your case, then you may consult a lawyer from an immigration law firm regarding a request for an equivalent oath.