A Short Overview on Naturalization Citizenship

One of the great realities of the institutions of naturalization in the United States today is that regardless of where people are born, where their parents came from, or the color of their skin, they may become full citizens just like those people whose families have been in the country for generations.

The naturalization process is generally reserved for those who entered the country legally.

American immigration law provides some basic laws of naturalization. The applicant must live in the country for at least five years, without pause, to apply for naturalization. Exceptions are made, however, as applicants that are married to a legal citizen generally wait for a duration of three years and children are often naturalized alongside their parents. Naturalization laws surrounding marital applicants have become stricter in many regards, especially when considering past abuses of the system.

If the applicant is permitted to apply for naturalization, they will have to go through an interview and corresponding test. This examination includes basic knowledge of English and the American political system/history. In some cases, aside from swearing allegiance to the United States, a new citizen will have to forfeit their citizenship in their country of origin.

Process of Naturalization Naturalization StatisticsThough some legal and illegal immigrants give little credence to naturalization rates, statistics on the numbers of foreign-born individuals seeking American citizenship may yet be fruitful in helping gain support among Americans for immigration as a whole and deterring those non-Americans that believe there is little chance of them successfully coming to live permanently in the United States.

Overall, total immigrant numbers in America are approaching 40 million residents. In fact, 2008 saw over a million foreign-born applicants secure citizenship, many of them coming from Mexico, the Philippines and India. In other demographic terms, more women than men were naturalized, and most achieved this goal through petition by a family member or employment.

Some rights of naturalized citizens may not be an apparent necessity for immigrants to the United States, but when considering their full implications, the move to apply for citizenship becomes more clearly valuable. The ability to vote in federal elections is an important symbol of the American people to choose someone who will represent their core interests.

The power to bring family to American shores on legal terms is vital for the preservation of family that is so important to the nation's foundation. Having a travel visaNaturalization LawyerThough the naturalization process is given little thought by a number of Americans who became citizens by being born, it should be noted the processes of immigration and naturalization can be quite trying on the individual applicant. A good source of support, especially with regard to acquisition of citizenship, is a naturalization lawyer, who often prove well worth their fees.

In the pre-application stages, a naturalization lawyer can review a citizenship-seeker's identification and records for any glaring weaknesses or red flags. The same, coincidentally, applies for the actual completion and sending of the N-400 Application for Naturalization to the Department of Homeland Security. On top of this, a naturalization lawyer makes for an excellent advocate for the applicant during his or her interview, especially if the legal professional perceives his/her client's rights are being abused.

Benefits of Dual Citizenship

Rather than willingly acceding to a waiver of their original nationality, some people will actually try to preserve citizenship in two separate locations. Such is the essence of dual citizenship. In truth, being a citizen of multiple nations can work against a person, but in certain circumstances, it may also work to his or her advantage. If nothing else, dual citizenship may be a token of the emotional bond an individual shares with both lands.

Then again, having citizenship in a foreign country might be somewhat of a safeguard in the event of legal troubles or political imprisonment. More than that, it opens doors to employability and governmental benefits where only seasonal jobs and stipends may have previously applied. For those who can seek dual citizenship, the merits and limitations of adopting two nationalities must weighed in full before making any commitments.

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