Citizenship and U.S. Immigration: Week One
Citizenship and U.S. Immigration: Week One
Lecture One: From Non-Citizen to Citizen: The Naturalization Process
Some Terminology • • • •
“Citizen” “Alien” “Naturalization” “INA” – Immigration and Nationality Act, the federal statute governing citizenship and U.S. immigration. • “Lawful Permanent Resident” (LPR) = “Green Card”
U.S. Citizenship may be acquired by: • Birth in the United States • Birth abroad if at least one parent is a United States citizen • Naturalization
Source: American Immigration Center
Naturalization Requirements • Age: Generally must be at least 18 years old. Most children automatically obtain citizenship when one of their parents is naturalized, known as “derivative citizenship.” • Residence and Physical Presence: Applicants must have been admitted as lawful permanent residents (have a “green card”) for at least five years.
Naturalization Requirements • Good Moral Character: The burden is on the applicant to establish good moral character for the five years preceding the date of application. • Knowledge of Civics and History: Demonstration of test questions provided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: • http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/ menuitem.d72b75bdf98917853423754f526e0aa 0/? vgnextoid=afd6618bfe12f210VgnVCM10000008 2ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=afd6618bfe12f21 0VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD
Naturalization Requirements • English Language Proficiency: The INA requires that applicants demonstrate “an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language.”
Naturalization Requirements • Attachment to Constitutional Principles: Applicants for naturalization must establish that they are “attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States.” • Interview • Oath of Allegience
Current Version of the Oath of Allegiance • I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Lecture One: From Non-Citizen to Citizen: The Naturalization Process
Some Terminology • • • •
“Citizen” “Alien” “Naturalization” “INA” – Immigration and Nationality Act, the federal statute governing citizenship and U.S. immigration. • “Lawful Permanent Resident” (LPR) = “Green Card”
U.S. Citizenship may be acquired by: • Birth in the United States • Birth abroad if at least one parent is a United States citizen • Naturalization
Source: American Immigration Center
Naturalization Requirements • Age: Generally must be at least 18 years old. Most children automatically obtain citizenship when one of their parents is naturalized, known as “derivative citizenship.” • Residence and Physical Presence: Applicants must have been admitted as lawful permanent residents (have a “green card”) for at least five years.
Naturalization Requirements • Good Moral Character: The burden is on the applicant to establish good moral character for the five years preceding the date of application. • Knowledge of Civics and History: Demonstration of test questions provided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: • http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/ menuitem.d72b75bdf98917853423754f526e0aa 0/? vgnextoid=afd6618bfe12f210VgnVCM10000008 2ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=afd6618bfe12f21 0VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD
Naturalization Requirements • English Language Proficiency: The INA requires that applicants demonstrate “an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language.”
Naturalization Requirements • Attachment to Constitutional Principles: Applicants for naturalization must establish that they are “attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States.” • Interview • Oath of Allegience
Current Version of the Oath of Allegiance • I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
