Becoming a U.S. citizen
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Do you have what it takes to become a citizen? Sample some questions. |
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U.S citizen test |
Data from the 2000 Census recorded Missouri's naturalized population at 61,786 residents. That was a naturalization rate of 40.9 percent, slightly higher than the national average rate of 40.1 percent.
Having the right to vote; traveling on a U.S. passport; applying for a U.S. Government job--American citizens are proud of these rights. Those not born in the United States can go through the naturalization process to become a citizen.
Inmigración a los EE.UU., paso a paso
Edwin T. Gania ; Eyt\74\an Lasca, traductor.
Naperville, Ill. : Sphinx Pub., 2003.
This Spanish translation addresses a complex topic in a user-friendly, understandable manner. Written by an attorney who works with various kinds of immigration cases, this book explains procedures, documents, forms, current immigration laws and visa categories for the immigrant seeking green-card status.
A simple guide to U.S. immigration and citizenship
Luis Cortes, Jr. ; in collaboration with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) ; [foreword by Cristina Perez].
New York : Atria Books, 2008.
Immigration in America is a complex issue. And as with any worthwhile goal, securing your citizenship requires a lot of work. You'll face many obstacles, and potential pitfalls, but being educated about the process is the first step toward getting what you want.
Uncle Sam wants you : World War I and the making of the modern American citizen
Christopher Capozzola.
Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2008.
"Christopher Capozzola shows how, in the absence of a strong federal government, Americans at first mobilized society by stressing duty, obligation, and responsibility over rights and freedoms. In clubs, schools, churches, and workplaces, Americans governed each other. But the heated temper of war quickly unleashed coercion on an unprecedented scale, making wartime America the scene of some of the nation's most serious political violence, including notorious episodes of outright mob violence. To solve this problem, Americans turned over increasing amounts of power to state institutions. In the end, whether they were some of the four million men drafted under the Selective Service Act or the tens of millions of home-front volunteers or counted themselves among the thousands of conscientious objectors, antiwar radicals, or German enemy aliens Americans of the World War I era created a new American state and new ways of being American citizens."--BOOK JACKET.
The first step to becoming a U.S. citizen is to receive a permanent resident (green) card. Then you can apply for naturalization to become a U.S. citizen. The process will include filling out forms, taking a test, being fingerprinted, being projicient in English, and going through an interview.
Learning American history and civics is a necessary step in the naturalization process. During your citizenship interview, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Officer will first review your U.S. application for naturalization. They may ask for clarifications on your written answers. As well, during this interview they will ask you, either written or oral, questions on American history.
When you have passed your citizenship interview and test, you will still need to officially swear the Oath of Allegiance in front of a judge.
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More than half of the nation's legal immigrants are now naturalized citizens, "the highest level in a quarter century and a 15 percent increase since 1990". |
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(from the Pew Hispanic Center) |
New citizens go through the naturalization process for many reasons. Some do it because the United States is the country of their children--a country where they can now vote and serve on jury duty. Still others see it opening opportunities for travel, jobs, and scholarships. Whatever the reason, the new citizens proudly raise their right hand and repeat the Oath of Allegiance, "I hereby declare on oath...".
More about citizenship
Article by: St. Louis Public Library staff.
