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How to become a U.S. citizen
What it takes to become a U.S. citizen
Updated: 4:19 PM EDT Apr 20, 2025
AN EASY PROCESS. IT TAKES TIME AND MONEY. MANY CHOOSE TO TAKE A DIFFERENT PATH, ONE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTS TO PUT A STOP TO. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR DECADES. THEY’VE GOTTEN AN EDUCATION, PAID TAXES, AND RAISED A FAMILY. AND SOME SAY THEY’VE BEEN DOING IT ILLEGALLY FOR DECADES NOW. PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE LEGALLY AND ILLEGALLY SAY THEY ARE MORE AFRAID THAN EVER. ONCE AGAIN, HERE’S CRISTIANA RAMOS THE SOUND OF THE FOOT KICKING THE BALL. IT’S ONE THAT’S FAMILIAR TO OSCAR GARCIA. EVERY DAY WE’LL GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY WITH MY NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS PLAYING SOCCER. IT’S A SIMPLE GAME THAT’S LIVED WITH HIM SINCE GROWING UP ON THE STREETS OF MEXICO. THAT’S WHERE I’M FROM. NEW MEXICO. I NEVER PLAYED ON A PLAY ON A GRASS FIELD UNTIL I WAS 17. UP IN MEXICO, WE PLAY ON DIRT FIELDS AND NOW THESE ARE THE SOUNDS HE HEARS. FANS ROARING AND SOMETIMES YELLING AT NEW MEXICO UNITED GAMES, NOT ONLY AS A REFEREE, BUT IN LIFE. YOU KNOW, WHEN I TRY TO DO SOMETHING, I GIVE IT MY BEST. THE JOURNEY ACROSS THE BROKEN BORDER TO BECOME AN AMERICAN CITIZEN, AN ACCOUNTANT, A SOCCER REFEREE AND A HUSBAND WAS NOT AN EASY ONE. IT’S A BLESSING AND I FEEL BLESSED THAT I HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY. AND AT THE SAME TIME, RECOGNIZING THAT. NOT EVERYONE GETS THAT OPPORTUNITY AND THEY WISH THEY HAD IT. GARCIA’S JOURNEY STARTED WHEN HE WAS IN SCHOOL IN MEXICO, STUDYING TO BE A COMPUTER PROGRAMMER. AND I WAS PROGRAMING AT THE TIME, BUT I DIDN’T HAVE A I HAVE PROBABLY ZERO KNOWLEDGE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. EVENTUALLY HE MET AN AMERICAN WOMAN WHILE IN SCHOOL, MARRIED HER AND HAD THREE KIDS. BUT IT TOOK YEARS. THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND NUMEROUS MEETINGS WITH IMMIGRATION AGENTS IN WHICH THEY ASKED HE AND HIS WIFE DOZENS OF QUESTIONS. I REALLY FELT LIKE INTERROGATED TO LIKE, SHOW THAT I, I LOVED HIM AND HE WASN’T JUST GIVING ME MONEY UNDER THE TABLE. WHILE PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS DECLARED THERE WILL BE A MASS DEPORTATION, IT WAS THEN PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA WHO HAD THOUSANDS REMOVED FROM THE COUNTRY TWICE DURING THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION. THE NUMBER OF DEPORTATIONS AND REMOVALS HAD SPIKED TO OVER 40,000 IN 1 MONTH. IN TRUMP’S FIRST TWO MONTHS IN OFFICE, IT WAS JUST OVER 20,000. OBAMA IS KNOWN IN THE COMMUNITY AS THE DEPORTER IN CHIEF. HE DEPORTED SO MANY PEOPLE. BUT HERE IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBAMA OR BIDEN. I WANT TO SAY IT VERSUS OUR CURRENT PRESIDENT. PRESIDENT TRUMP. PRESIDENT TRUMP H
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What it takes to become a U.S. citizen
Updated: 4:19 PM EDT Apr 20, 2025
There are two ways to become a U.S. citizen: by birthright and naturalization, a voluntary process leading to the naturalization test.Video above: Man shares his journey to becoming U.S. citizenThose seeking U.S. citizenship must meet three levels of requirements to be eligible. One of those requirements involves understanding the English language; despite there not being an official language.At least 18 years old when you applyAble to read, write and speak basic English (dependent on age)Of good moral characterApplicants must also meet one of these categories to be eligible for consideration.Being a lawful permanent resident, including Green Card holders, of five yearsMarried to a U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident for three yearsU.S. military service memberChild of a U.S. citizenThe U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services outlines a 10-step process plan Step 1: Determine if you are already a U.S. citizenStep 2: Determine if you are eligible to become a U.S. citizenView the requirements listed previouslyStep 3: Prepare your N-400 FormThe form is an “Application for Naturalization”Applicants must send in the three following items:Photocopy of both sides of your permanent resident card, formerly known as green cardCheck or money order for the application and biometric services feeIf you reside outside U.S., two identical color photos, with your name and Alien Registration Number written on the back in pencilStep 4: Submit your N-400 FormFees for the form may also be paid onlineOnce submitted, USCIS will send you a receipt noticeStep 5: Go to your biometrics appointment, if applicableUSCIS will send an appointment notice that includes your date, time and locationStep 6: Complete the interviewThe scheduled interview with USCIS will complete the naturalization processInterviews will be held at an USCIS office at the date and time on the provided noticeApplicants should bring their appointment notice with themAn English and civics test will be given, unless qualified for a waiver or exemptionStep 7: Receive a decision from USCIS on your N-400 FormA notice of decision by USCIS can be either mailed or accessed electronicallyThe USCIS has three choices with each application: granted, continued, or deniedA continuation of the application process can be allowed for someone to provide additional evidence and documentationThat also applies to those who fail the English test on their first attemptStep 8: Receive notice to take the Oath of AllegianceStep 9: Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United StatesComplete N-445 FormYou are not a U.S. citizenship through naturalization without taking this oathReport for your ceremony and check in with USCIS with completed formReceive your Certificate of NaturalizationReview and notify USCIS of any errors seen before leaving ceremony siteStep 10: Understanding U.S. citizenship
There are two ways to become a U.S. citizen: by birthright and naturalization, a voluntary process leading to the naturalization test.
Video above: Man shares his journey to becoming U.S. citizen
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Those seeking U.S. citizenship must meet three levels of requirements to be eligible. One of those requirements involves understanding the English language; despite there not being an official language.
- At least 18 years old when you apply
- Able to read, write and speak basic English (dependent on age)
- Of good moral character
Applicants must also meet one of these categories to be eligible for consideration.
- Being a lawful permanent resident, including Green Card holders, of five years
- Married to a U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident for three years
- U.S. military service member
- Child of a U.S. citizen
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services outlines a 10-step process plan
- Step 1: Determine if you are already a U.S. citizen
- Step 2: Determine if you are eligible to become a U.S. citizen
- View the requirements listed previously
- Step 3: Prepare your N-400 Form
- The form is an “Application for Naturalization”
- Applicants must send in the three following items:
- Photocopy of both sides of your permanent resident card, formerly known as green card
- Check or money order for the application and biometric services fee
- If you reside outside U.S., two identical color photos, with your name and Alien Registration Number written on the back in pencil
- Step 4: Submit your N-400 Form
- Fees for the form may also be paid online
- Once submitted, USCIS will send you a receipt notice
- Step 5: Go to your biometrics appointment, if applicable
- USCIS will send an appointment notice that includes your date, time and location
- Step 6: Complete the interview
- The scheduled interview with USCIS will complete the naturalization process
- Interviews will be held at an USCIS office at the date and time on the provided notice
- Applicants should bring their appointment notice with them
- An English and civics test will be given, unless qualified for a waiver or exemption
- Step 7: Receive a decision from USCIS on your N-400 Form
- A notice of decision by USCIS can be either mailed or accessed electronically
- The USCIS has three choices with each application: granted, continued, or denied
- A continuation of the application process can be allowed for someone to provide additional evidence and documentation
- That also applies to those who fail the English test on their first attempt
- Step 8: Receive notice to take the Oath of Allegiance
- Step 9: Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States
- Complete N-445 Form
- You are not a U.S. citizenship through naturalization without taking this oath
- Report for your ceremony and check in with USCIS with completed form
- Receive your Certificate of Naturalization
- Review and notify USCIS of any errors seen before leaving ceremony site
- Step 10: Understanding U.S. citizenship
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