In order to obtain citizenship in the United States, certain criteria must be met. A person born outside the U.S may become a US citizen at birth through his/her parents or by naturalization. For a child born outside of the U.S, the parents must be the biological mother and father or be the non-genetic gestational mother, who holds the embryo. The parent must be the legal parent at the time of birth. Citizenship is automatic if both of the parents are married and at least one of the parents lived in the U.S before birth of child. If only one parent is a citizen, he or she must have lived at least five years in the U.S and birthday must be on or after November 14, 1986.
For a child whose parents are not married, the requirements are different. The biological mother or non-genetic gestational mother must be a U.S citizen at time of child’s birth and her birthday must be after December 23, 1952. The mother must also be living in the U.S before the child’s birth. The biological father must be a U.S citizen at the time of child’s birth and his birthday must be on or after November 14, 1986. Furthermore, there must proof that he is blood related to the child and must provide financial assistance until the child becomes 18 years old. The father must also have lived five years in the U.S before child’s birth.
Naturalization is another way that you can become a citizen. The first step to naturalization is filing Form N-400. You will also have to provide the United States and Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). With your application, you will have to provide proof of good moral character, that you meet the residency requirements, and are admissible to the United States. USCIS will process your application and schedule an interview where you will be tested. The Naturalization test consists of civics questions along with writing, reading, and speaking all administered in English.
Once your application is approved, you will be given a date to attend the Naturalization ceremony and take the pledge of allegiance to complete the Naturalization process. Once you check in, you will be asked to return your permanent resident card. Then you will proceed by taking the Oath of Allegiance and will be given the certificate of naturalization. The final step to becoming a citizen is updating your social security record ten days after the ceremony takes place.
5 Reasons to Become A Citizen:
The right to vote
• One of the biggest advantages of being a US citizen is having the right to vote in state and federal elections. This means that you have the opportunity to take part in politics and to decide on the future of the nation. As a non-US citizen living in the US you
currently have no right to vote and can be deported if you do vote without before becoming a citizen.
Sponsorship
• US citizens have the right to sponsor their immediate family and relatives for a US green card. As a citizen, you will be able to ensure that family members who also wish to live in the states will be able to do so. If you get married to someone from outside the US, your status will ensure that you can sponsor your new spouse for a green card in the US as well. As a US citizen your application is given preference over green card holders petitioning for their families.
Travel
• US citizens can travel for an unlimited period of time without losing their citizenship
status. Lawful permanent residents of the United States who travel outside the country for more than 180 days must apply for readmission to the US. However, as a US citizen you can travel for as long as you like without having to worry about your immigration status being affected.
Protect your children
• When you become a US citizen any of your qualified children under the age of 18 will automatically get their citizenship too! They’ll immediately have access to all the benefits of citizenship and they’ll never have to worry about losing their US immigration status.
U.S. Passport
• All citizens have the right to a U.S. passport. A U.S. passport allows you not only to travel internationally, in many cases without needing a visa, but also to re-enter the United States freely.
Patricia Elizee is the managing partner of Elizee Law Firm, P.A. The firm focuses onImmigration and Family Law cases. Ms. Elizee can be reached at (305) 371-8846. The law firm is located at 1110 Brickell Avenue, Suite 315, Miami, Florida 33131.