US citizenship: 5 tips to help you prepare

INTRODUCTION

Among the many dreams of every immigrant in the United States is to have a secure future. BUT, the road toward that dream can be strenuous.  

Now… Is there any way you can IMPROVE your chances for U.S. citizenship?

Hi there! My name is Andres Mejer, Immigration Attorney and an immigrant myself. In today’s episode, I will give you five tips to improve your eligibility for obtaining U.S. citizenship.

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Now let’s get into it!

DISCUSSION

Too many, having a green card is seen as good as being a U.S. citizen. But that just isn’t so.   And some learn the differences too late, only after being put into removal proceedings even after being in the US over 20 years.  

Citizenship gives the person the highest level of rights to enjoy as a member of society and is entitled to protection from the government. In return, US citizens, hence, owe their allegiance to the country. 

On the other hand, Green Card Holders are lawful permanent residents who have been allowed to live in the U.S. indefinitely. HOWEVER, green card holders enjoy lesser privileges compared to U.S. citizens.

ALSO, this status can be lost for various reasons. For example, if you are a green card holder and you commit a crime, your green card may be revoked. BUT, if you are a U.S. citizen and you commit a crime, you will not lose your citizenship.

Being a green card holder DOES NOT guarantee you U.S. citizenship. You need to qualify.  

So…  here are 5 tips to help you prepare for US citizenship.

Tip #1: Honestly assess yourself

Of course, you can’t just jump into applying for U.S. citizenship without first determining if you fit all of the requirements. Assessing if you are eligible to apply would help you not waste your time and efforts in rounding up all requirements, only to find out later that you are not yet eligible.

To be eligible, you must satisfy the following requirements:

1. At the time of application, you must be at least 18 years old;

1. You must be a green card holder for three to five years.

• 3 years for people married to and living with U.S. Citizens.
• 4 years after the approval for permanent residence for asylees
• 5 years for everyone else.

1. You must have ‘physically resided’ in the United States for at least half of the requisite number of years of permanent residence;

1. You must not have spent more than 6 months abroad during any one trip, there are some exceptions;

1. You must have resided in the state where you intend to petition for citizenship for at least three months;

1. You must have proven strong moral conduct in the years before your application for citizenship (e.g., paying taxes);

1. You  are able to speak, read, and write in English;

 

1. You must pass a civics test that covers the U.S. history and government;

1. Must be willing to pledge allegiance to the United States, defend the Constitution, and serve in the country’s military if required.

Tip #2: Be responsible and organized

A key to a hassle-free citizenship application is that you are diligent in complying with the requirements and paperwork needed from you. You must keep track of the steps, WHAT documentation to submit, and WHERE to file it. 

It is also critical to keep track of significant dates such as DEADLINES, interview dates, and so on. This will allow you to block the date in your calendar to ensure that you do not miss any important events or submissions.

Tip #3: Be conscious of the requisite years. 

As previously stated, you must meet certain standards in order for your application to be considered or granted. Among the criteria to remember are the needed years and limitations that come along with it, such as not traveling abroad for more than 6 months. This must be strictly observed so that you don’t waste your filing fee.

Tip #4: Demonstrate acts of good moral character. 

You have to remember that you must fulfill your obligations on time, such as paying taxes, and you must refrain from committing crimes, like DUI, domestic violence, shoplifting, or drug use even if marijuana is legal in your state.  These factors will be considered when assessing your moral character and standing in the community even if they don’t result in removal from the U.S.

Tip #5: Ready yourself for the coming exams. 

Remember that there will be two tests: English language tests and civics tests. If your English needs work, I recommend hiring a tutor or enrolling in an English class. This way, you will be ready on exam day. 

This also applies to the civics exam, which requires U.S. history and government knowledge.

TAKE NOTE! While 3 to 5 years may seem like a long time to learn this.  The sooner you start the better your chances of success.

CLOSING

If you are considering applying for citizenship or need someone to guide you in your immigration journey, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with our expert immigration attorneys at Andres Mejer Law. 

AND That’s all for today’s episode. 

IF you find this video informative, then like and share it with your friends who are also applying or are thinking about getting a green card or applying for citizenship.

And if you have any ideas for future videos or would like me to talk about a particular immigration-related topic, go ahead, and let me know in the comment section down below. 

Until next time, stay healthy and be safe.