US Immigration and Citizenship Exam
A person who wants to Immigrate to the US may start out confused and not sure where to start. There are many laws, which govern the immigration process that are unfamiliar to even most Americans. There are also many misconceptions about how one becomes a citizen that can cause a person seeking immigrant status lost time and frustration. In many cases, consulting an attorney who specializes in Immigration matters is the best choice.
One of the first things to know about immigration is that the forms must be perfect. There are packages of US immigration forms that must be filled out to be granted immigrant status and they must not contain errors. If English is difficult for the immigrant then it is important to have someone more proficient in the language help fill out these forms.
One of the most intimidating forms perhaps is the US naturalization application. Unfortunately, the terms are full of buzzwords known to the Immigration service but which may be confusing to a person who is new to the American system. While the questions asked are, relatively simple background information the form itself can be intimidating to a person who is still learning English. If a close friend or family member is fluent, they can assist in filling out the forms. Otherwise, it is usually best to consult a professional such as an Immigration attorney.
Studying for the US citizenship exam is a necessity. There are many places in larger cities where classes are offered for the immigrant to study the facts they will need to know in order to pass the exam. The examination will be on facts that a person new the American system would need to know in order to fully understand and exercise their rights as a U.S. citizen.
Questions cover the system of government and the executive branch, the constitution, as well as some geographical information that should be common knowledge for any citizen of the U.S. Many naturalized Americans who pass the examination have a better understanding of the American government and constitution than some US born citizens do.
A common misconception is that there is an “automatic” citizenship granted to spouses of American citizens and while the law is complicated, the fact is that everyone not born in the U.S. or of American parents must apply for citizenship even spouses of citizens. Though some applications are granted more favored status for instance when a child is born of one U.S. citizen and one of another nationality, the fact is that there are no automatic citizens.
While becoming an American citizen is hard work and takes time and dedication, many find the benefits in terms of personal freedom, religious freedom, and economic upward mobility is well worth the time and effort invested.
If a person is unsure as to where to start in the process and is currently in the US with a visitor or tourist visa, then a local immigration attorney can be contacted for information. Alternatively, calling the field office of the local INS office and speaking to a representative can help provide some answers to basic questions though not to some legal questions.