A few days ago our executive president Arturo Vargas wrote in Enlace Latino NC about some of the benefits of obtaining American citizenship, as well as the importance of Latinos in North Carolina eligible for naturalization beginning the process of becoming citizens in order to increase the political power of our community, our state and the country.
According to the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Immigration Statistics, more than 9.1 million of legal permanent residents may be eligible to naturalize. Latinos comprise at least 41% of this number. This week I want to talk to you about how to apply for American citizenship and about the resources that the NALEO Educational Fund has at your disposal to help you in the process.
The steps to apply for American citizenship
The first step you must take to apply for American citizenship is to obtain advice on the requirements that must be met before beginning the process.
Applicants for citizenship must be 18 years of age or older. They must also have lived in the United States as legal permanent residents for at least five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen. They must also have good moral character (I will explain this in detail later). Finally, they must be prepared to take a oral exam about their knowledge of the English language and the history of the United States, as well as its form of government.
There are exceptions to taking the test based on the applicant's age and other factors. There is other information that you will need to provide to complete the application; such as information about your legal name, social security number, date of birth and country of origin. Additionally, you will need to provide supplemental information such as evidence of foreign travel, a marriage certificate, as well as documents detailing your criminal record (if you have one).
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Fees to apply for the citizenship process
You must also make a check or money order for $725 dollars payable to the United States Department of Homeland Security. That cost includes the $85 dollars for the biometric services such as your fingerprints, photograph and signature.
There are exemptions from the citizenship fee for which you may qualify.
At the NALEO Educational Fund we seek to eliminate obstacles to obtaining citizenship. Eligible permanent residents can access information and direct assistance regarding the application for naturalization; as well as for the fee waiver forms in our citizenship workshops.
Information on requirements to process American citizenship
For more information about this and other requirements you can visit our website at www.naleo.org/citizenship/.
The requirement of having good moral character is determined based on your criminal record, if you have one. Also consider your honesty during the application process for American citizenship. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot become a citizen; Notwithstanding the above, you should know that some crimes or offenses can lengthen the process to obtain citizenship.
It is recommended that you consult with an attorney if any of the following crimes are on your record before submitting your application: driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, domestic violence, lying to an immigration agent for your benefit or to prevent deportation, etc
Helpline
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the NALEO Educational Fund has continued its efforts to support residents with the naturalization process virtually.
Interested persons can call our help and information line at 1-888-839-8682 to request a virtual appointment for assistance with citizenship applications and payment forgiveness (or exemption).
We will contact you days later to begin the application process virtually. Our operators are trained to answer your questions about the process and help you determine if you meet all the requirements to begin it.
In addition to providing direct assistance to applicants for American citizenship, we also advocate with federal entities to protect the accessibility and affordability of the process.
From Washington, DC we collaborate with officials in Congress and the Department of Homeland Security to prevent changes in the laws or procedures that govern the naturalization process from making the application more complicated or expensive for the community.
Right now we are calling on Congress to provide funding to eliminate backlogs in the application process. We are also promoting increased funding for programs that help community organizations to assist in naturalization applications. As well as civics and English classes.
I also support North Carolina
Here in North Carolina, we collaborate closely with the Latin American Coalition and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Charlotte to share information on innovative practices to improve service to the applicants we serve.
Our organizations join forces so that the state's Latino community has access to our services and true and specific information about the citizenship application process.
Our political power and the well-being of our communities in North Carolina depend on greater political participation. As well as they also depend on more Latinos being American citizens, in order to be able to vote or be eligible to run for public office.
Remember that the NALEO Educational Fund is here to help you. You can count on our information line 1-888-839-8682 . We are available to answer your questions about the requirements to apply for American citizenship and obtain assistance with the process. Call us.
Thaís Carrero is the Mid-Atlantic Civic Engagement Director (based in North Carolina) for the NALEO Educational Fund . Follow us on Twitter at @NALEO .
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