As the election has been nearing, I’ve given the importance of being an American and of voting a lot of thought. I’ve given citizenship a lot of thought. Do I take being an American for granted? Probably. I do have the fortune of American citizenship by birth, after all.
But what if I didn’t have that particular fortune and wanted it? What if I had to become an American citizen by naturalization? Do I have what it takes to become a United States citizen? Could I pass muster with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)? Could I pass the test?
Could you?
Let’s take the time over a handful of these weekly columns to see if we have the right stuff to become naturalized American citizens and then to see if we’re living up to our responsibilities as citizens. Are you up to the challenge?
We’ll need to pretend that we aren’t American citizens, though, and to do this together…
–oOo–
First up: the basics.
According to the USCIS publication, A Guide to Naturalization, naturalization is the “manner in which a person not born in the United States voluntarily becomes a U.S. citizen.” It is a process that consists of five steps: (1) preparation, such as reading the Guide, downloading the application and completing the Naturalization Eligibility Worksheet; (2) completing the application, getting two passport-style photographs taken; collecting the necessary documents, and paying the fees, a total of $675.00; (3) being fingerprinted; (4) appearing for an interview and taking the test; and (5) taking the Oath of Allegiance at a formal naturalization ceremony.
Of course, there are benefits of citizenship. As stated in the Guide, “The Constitution and laws of the United States give many rights to both citizens and non-citizens living in the United States. However, some rights are only for citizens.” Those citizen-only rights include the ability to bring family members to the U.S. and to obtain citizenship for children born abroad, traveling with a U.S. passport, eligibility for federal jobs, the ability to become an elected official (but not president), and voting and showing your patriotism.
There are also responsibilities of citizenship. Once we make it through the application and interview processes and pass the naturalization test, we will take the Oath of Allegiance, which details some of those new responsibilities. Other duties will include participating in the political process, i.e., registering and voting in elections; serving on juries; and tolerating the differences of others. In fact, the Guide reads, “When you decide to become a U.S. citizen, you should be willing to fulfill the responsibilities of citizenship. We hope you will honor and respect the freedoms and opportunities citizenship gives you. At the same time, we hope you become an active member of your community. It is by participating in your community that you truly become an American.”
–oOo–
Next up: the details.
The Naturalization Eligibility Worksheet helps us determine whether we meet such qualifications as age (18 years or older); time as a permanent resident; continuous residence in the U.S.; physical presence in the U.S.; good moral character; English and civics knowledge; and an attachment to the Constitution. If we do not meet these qualifications, we are not eligible to apply for naturalization.
Of course, we are eligible to apply for naturalization, so we now must tackle the application.
We download Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, a 10-page document. The 14 parts are:
1. Name: All of our names, including what you would like to change it to, if you so desire and if your naturalization ceremony is held in court (I’m keeping mine).
2. Information about eligibility: Thank goodness we completed the worksheet!
3. Information about us: Such as Social Security number, date of birth, marital status, and the date we became permanent residents.
4. Addresses and telephone numbers: Plus our email addresses.
5. Information for criminal records search: Such details as gender, height, weight, race, and hair and eye color.
6. Information about residence and employment: Everywhere we’ve lived and worked in the last five years.
7. Time outside the United States: Number of trips made and total days spent outside the U.S. in the last five years, as well as a listing of all trips of 24 hours or more since we became permanent residents.
8. Information about marital history: Past and present, plus that of our spouses, past and present.
9. Information about children: Any and all.
10. Additional questions: Three and a-half pages worth.
11. Signature: Plus the date.
12. Signature of person who prepared this application for us: If applicable.
The remaining parts are not completed until a USCIS Officer instructs us to do so:
13. Signature at interview; and
14. Oath of Allegiance.
2. Information about eligibility: Thank goodness we completed the worksheet!
3. Information about us: Such as Social Security number, date of birth, marital status, and the date we became permanent residents.
4. Addresses and telephone numbers: Plus our email addresses.
5. Information for criminal records search: Such details as gender, height, weight, race, and hair and eye color.
6. Information about residence and employment: Everywhere we’ve lived and worked in the last five years.
7. Time outside the United States: Number of trips made and total days spent outside the U.S. in the last five years, as well as a listing of all trips of 24 hours or more since we became permanent residents.
8. Information about marital history: Past and present, plus that of our spouses, past and present.
9. Information about children: Any and all.
10. Additional questions: Three and a-half pages worth.
11. Signature: Plus the date.
12. Signature of person who prepared this application for us: If applicable.
The remaining parts are not completed until a USCIS Officer instructs us to do so:
13. Signature at interview; and
14. Oath of Allegiance.
Wow. Let’s take a closer look at Parts 10, 13 and 14?
–oOo–
Part 10 has some potentially tough questions in eight sections. We begin with the Section A, labeled General Questions, where we are asked such things as whether we’ve ever claimed to be a U.S. citizen; registered to vote, or voted, in any election in the U.S.; failed to file a required tax return; and whether we have any title of nobility in any foreign country.
The next section, B, inquires about our affiliations with organizations, associations, etc, in the U.S. or in any other place. We are also asked about membership and/or affiliation with the Communist Party, any other totalitarian party, and terrorist organizations. Have we ever advocated the overthrow of any government by force or violence? Have we ever persecuted any person because of race, religion, national origin, membership in a particular social group or political opinion? Additionally, we are asked whether, between March 23, 1933 and May 8, 1945, we had anything at all whatsoever to do with the Nazi government of Germany.
Section C addresses our continuous residence since becoming lawful permanent residents of the U.S.
Part 10’s D section is Good Moral Character. Have we ever… Committed a crime or offense for which we were not arrested? Been arrested/cited/detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason? Been charged with committing any crime/offense? Been convicted of a crime/offense? Been placed in an alternative sentencing or a rehabilitative program? Received a suspended sentence, been placed on probation or been paroled? Been in jail or prison? Been a habitual drunkard? Been a prostitute, or procured anyone for prostitution? Sold or smuggled controlled substances, illegal drugs or narcotics? Been married to more than one person at the same time? Helped anyone enter or try to enter the United States illegally? Gambled illegally or received income from illegal gambling? Failed to support your dependents or to pay alimony? Any “yes” answers require written explanations
Sections E, F, and G tackle removal/exclusion/deportation proceedings, military service, and Selective Service registration, respectively.
And Section H of Part 10, Oath Requirements, addresses our willingness to take the oath.
–oOo–
In Part 13, which is completed in the presence of a USCIS officer, we each “swear (or affirm) and certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that I know that the contents of this application for naturalization subscribed by me, including corrections, and the evidence submitted by me are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.” The fact that we have subscribed to and sworn to/affirmed the above before a USCIS officer is documented by the officer.
–oOo–
Finally, Part 14, the Oath of Allegiance, acknowledges our willingness and ability to take
the oath at our formal naturalization ceremony. Here is the text of the oath:
“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”
Pretty heady stuff, huh?
–oOo–
Next week we’ll tackle the English and civics test. Better study!
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