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¶ … Naturalization Process
Naturalized Citizenship 101 The five-year residency and physical presence requirements would tend to eliminate those applicants unwilling or incapable of committing to a life in the United States. This is important because becoming an engaged American citizen requires paying attention to current events and voicing an opinion through voting, signing petitions, and engaging in other forms of civic duty. Performing these civic duties would be difficult, if not impossible, when residing for extended periods outside the country.
Requirements for Naturalized Citizenship
What are the different categories of requirements for citizenship?
Foreign citizens who have been a permanent resident for five years or longer can apply to become a naturalized citizen of the United States (U.S. Department of Homeland Security [U.S. DHS], "Citizenship through Naturalization"). For permanent residents who are married to an American citizen the waiting period is reduced to three years. Permanent residents serving in the military can apply to become a naturalized citizen after one year of service, and if already discharged must have separated honorably. This one year waiting period can be waived if service is during a period of hostilities. Anyone that was born outside of the United States can apply for citizenship if one of the parents is a U.S. citizen.
What do you think it takes to be a good citizen of the United States, based on the requirements?
The five-year residency requirement, and the 30-month continuous physical presence prior to the application, demands a certain level of commitment to building a life in the United States. The American civics and English language requirements demonstrates the applicant's willingness to invest in citizenship. Permanent residents should also have been paying federal, state, and local taxes when required, and have signed up for Selective Service, which demonstrates a willingness to share the burden of citizenship. The good moral character requirement, as defined by the U.S. Constitution, represents a method for screening out criminals and those seeking to harm the United States.
Decide what you believe to be the five most important citizenship requirements, list them, and explain why you think each one is important.
2. Signing up for Selective Service is probably one of the more dramatic declarations of a commitment to American citizenship, because it demonstrates a willingness to give one's life in service to their country.
3. Paying taxes while a permanent resident probably represents a substantial commitment to American citizenship for many immigrants, especially if they are also burdened with financially supporting family members left behind in their own country.
4. Screening applicants for criminal histories would disqualify criminal evading an arrest warrant in their home country or avoiding prosecution and prison. There is also a sense of fair play that demands such screening, if one is to assume that the societies from which these people came are to some extent responsible for their criminal behavior.
5. A minimum age of 18 is important because changing ones' citizenship is not a decision that should be taken lightly. U.S. citizens can vote and be called to serve in the military by the age of 18, so this is an appropriate minimum age.
Part B: Oath of Allegiance
What are new citizens promising to do?
The Oath of Allegiance requires naturalized citizens to let go of their former lives as citizens of another country, before taking an oath of allegiance…
Works Cited
Adams, Charles Francis, ed. The works of John Adams. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1865. Out of print.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Citizenship through Naturalization. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 3 June 2011. Web. 29 August 2011. <http://www.uscis.gov/>
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A Guide to Naturalization. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, M-476 (rev. 04/11). Web. 29 August 2011. <http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf>
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