How to Become A U.S. Citizen

What is a U.S. Citizen?

U.S. citizenship may be acquired by birth in the United States, by birth abroad to a qualifying U.S. citizen parent, or by naturalization. If you are currently in the USA as a permanent resident, and meet the requirements below, you can become a citizen by naturalization. However, you must first have an immigrant visa (green card).

Why is a becoming a U.S. citizen important?

The INS can not deport you after you have become a citizen. There are also certain privileges only granted to U.S. citizens:

• Right to vote
• Hold public office (except President)
• Work in government jobs not available to permanent residents
• Obtain a U.S. Passport (Easy access to countries)
• Right to public benefits
• Don't have to worry about losing your permanent
  resident status when you leave the USA for an extended period of time.

Steps:

1. Qualify
   
   You have to be 18 years of age and legally competent to take the oath. In other words, you have to mentally be able to understand the oath and accept it.
2. Meet ALL the residency requirements for citizenship.
• Have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
• Have resided continuously in the USA as a permanent resident for the last five years prior to filing. After three years, you can qualify if you were married to and living with a U.S. citizen. Exceptions can be made for religious workers, government officials, and seamen and women who do not meet this requirement.
• Have been physically present in the USA for half of the five years (30 months).
• Have no absences from the USA totaling no more than one year.
• Have resided within a state or district for at least three months.
3. Be of good moral character.
   
   It can be hard to determine what "good moral character" is because it is a subjective quality. The INS has some requirements that will definitely disqualify individuals. A record of criminal activity, failure to pay taxes, lying to the INS, prostitution and illegal gambling are just a few items that will disqualify you from becoming a citizen. For the most part, the good moral character requirement is only good for the five- or three-year waiting period to apply for citizenship unless your past behavior effects your present character. An aggravated felon convicted on or after Nov. 29, 1990, however, is permanently barred from becoming a citizen.
4. Being able to read, write and speak English, and having a basic knowledge of U.S. government and history are requirements as well.
   
   From a list of 100 possible questions, you must correctly answer the questions chosen by an INS officer. People over 65 that have lived in the U.S. for 20 years have different requirements. They must answer six out of 10 from a list of 25. You may also be exempted from the requirement if you have a disability. Check out our sample questions.
5. Take an oath of allegiance.
   
   You must express your allegiance to support the U.S. Constitution, promise to obey the laws of the United States, renounce any foreign allegiance and/or foreign title and agree to bear arms for the armed forces or perform services for the government of the U.S. when required. People who are opposed to service in the armed forces due to religious beliefs can take a modified oath.
6. Register with the selective service if you are a male.
   
   Registering allows the government to maintain a list of men who may be called into the military if necessary. All men who are 18 years old are required to register, including non-citizens if they permanently reside in the United States. Failure to register can cause you to be denied citizenship.
7. File the correct forms.
   
   If you qualify, you must file the INS Form N-400 at the appropriate INS Service Center that serves your area. Be sure to either type or print clearly. You can pay by either a check or money order made payable to the "Immigration and Naturalization Service." Your money will not refunded if you withdraw your case or are denied by INS. Also, after INS receives your application, they will notify you about where to go to get the required fingerprints.
8. Interview with INS.
   
   After you file your application, you will be asked to come in for an interview ( What you need to bring to your interview). At this time, you will be required to show that you can read, write and speak the English language. Also, during this time you will be quizzed on the government and history of the USA.
9. Check the status of your application by calling INS.
10. Be sworn in at an INS ceremony or take the oath at a federal court.
    
    You will become a citizen as soon as you take the oath. If you are denied, however, you have 30 days to appeal the decision.
11. Be patient.
    
    The process can take anywhere from six months to two years. The process may seem lengthy and difficult, but becoming a U.S. citizen is well worth the wait. Check to see if you qualify to apply. If you have any questions, consult an immigration attorney or INS.

How To Apply for an Adjustment of Status

What is an adjustment of status?

This is a procedure allowing certain aliens already in the USA to apply for immigrant status. Aliens admitted to the USA in a nonimmigrant or other category may have their status changed to that of lawful permanent resident if they are eligible to receive an immigrant visa and one is immediately available.

Why is applying for an adjustment of status important?

You don't have to leave the country while you are waiting for you immigrant visa petition to be approved and you do not have to expend financial resources to return to your home country.

Steps:

1. Qualify
   
   You may be eligible if you:
• Have been approved for an immigrant visa and an immigrant visa number is available to you.
• Have been a fiancé who was admitted on a K-1 visa and you married the U.S. citizen who petitioned on your behalf within 90 days of entering the country.
• Have been granted asylum or refugee status and have been in the USA for more than a year.
• Have been or are a Cuban citizen or native that has lived in the USA for at least a year after being admitted into the USA.
• Have been a continuous resident of the USA since Jan. 1, 1972.
• Have a parent that became a legal permanent resident after you were born.
• Have a spouse that became a legal permanent resident after you were married.

Under the terms of a provision of the law which is no longer effective, if you did not meet all of these criteria, you might be eligible to apply for adjustment of status by paying a penalty fee of $1,000.

2. File the application with the Regional INS Service Center having jurisdiction over your place of residence (Form I-485).
3. This application must be accompanied by these items:
• Biographic information (INS Form G-325A)
• A copy of the approval notice sent to you or your sponsor by INS
• Authorization for employment for applicants with approved Employment Based petitions (Form I-765)
• Affidavit of Support for applicants with approved Family-Based petitions (Form I-864)
• Medical Examination Sheet (Form I-693)
• Arrival Departure Record for evidence of inspection, admission, or parole in to the USA (Form I-94)
• Two color photos taken within 30 days (3/4 profile photos with right ear showing).

 

4. INS will notify you of a scheduled time to have your fingerprints taken by an INS official.
5. INS will review the application for permanent residence and schedule an interview.
6. Receive a permanent resident stamp.
   
   If the interview goes well, then the INS will place a permanent resident stamp (I- 551) in your passport. At this time, you will be considered a permanent resident. However, you will not receive your actual alien registration card, also known as a green card, until the INS completes card processing.

How To Find a Primary-Care Physician

What is a primary care physician?

Your primary-care physician (PCP) is the doctor you see most often. Your PCP performs yearly checkups and other routine examinations. If you are enrolled in a managed care plan, he or she is the only person who is authorized to refer you to a specialist, if you need one.

Why is a PCP important?

As your health care "gatekeeper," your PCP will need to have access to your medical records so he or she can refer you to the proper specialist. Additionally, since most managed care plans offer low co-payments for routine examinations, it is to your advantage to see your PCP before health problems get serious.

Steps:

1.      Read about your specific health plan.

If your insurance is covered through an employer, ask the Human Resources or Personnel department for a booklet outlining your coverage. If you purchased insurance on your own, ask your insurance agent or company for literature about your plan.

2. Evaluate what characteristics you value most in a doctor.

Would you prefer a doctor who has a staff that can speak your native language or understands your cultural background? Would you prefer a doctor of your own sex? Are the doctor's years of experience or educational experiences important to you?

3. Find the list of approved doctors.

In the literature about your plan's coverage, you will find a list of "in-network" doctors in your area. The list will include the doctor's specialty, and sometimes their education, alma mater and year of graduation. If you need more information about a certain doctor, you can call the insurance company and they can answer questions.

4. Ask for references.

If you have found a doctor who looks good on paper, call the doctor's office (or in some cases, the insurance company) and ask for professional references or other proof of the doctor's competence. Ask around at work or in your neighborhood to see if anyone else has that doctor, and ask for an honest opinion of the doctor's work.

5. Choose the doctor that best fits your needs and desires, after weighing the pros and cons.

Since most managed-care plans only have a minority of the doctors in a given area, chances are you won't find a doctor that fits your bill exactly. But if you can find one that meets most of them, you will be better off than if you had simply picked one from the book at random.

6. If you absolutely cannot find a doctor you like, ask your insurance company if they have an "extended network" through which you can choose another doctor for a higher fee.

You may also be able to upgrade an HMO to a PPO, which allows a greater flexibility in choice.

 

Banking on the Future

Most Americans who pay bills, save or invest money, pay taxes or plan estates, do so through a financial institution such as a bank, credit union or savings and loan (S&L).

Banking saves you from having to keep or carry around a large amount of cash, which can tempt thieves. Banking also provides convenience and most financial institutions allow you to earn interest on your money.

Banking terms can sometimes be confusing. Fortunately, New2USA has compiled a glossary of banking terms to help you out.

Types of Institutions

Banks, credit unions and S&Ls all have the same basic services. Before choosing an institution, compare what each has to offer and pick the one that best serves your needs.

Banks in the USA are local, state-wide or regional. The system may seem complicated if you are accustomed to large, national institutions. Banks are for-profit businesses, and will charge a fee for services such as checking accounts, debit purchases and other conveniences. Make sure to get a listing of the fees banks charge before opening an account.

Credit unions, on the other hand, are nonprofit, cooperative financial institutions owned and controlled by the people who use its services. They exist to provide a safe, convenient place for members to save money and to get loans and credit cards at reasonable rates. They provide all the services of a bank, but usually with fewer fees. The disadvantages of belonging to a credit union are limited locations and limited conveniences, such as online banking or ATM services.

You may join a credit union only if you are part of a group that has one, such as a company, profession or school. There are also credit unions that are formed by different nationality groups, each with its own set of guidelines for membership. For example, Polish & Slavic Federal Credit in Brooklyn, NY is federally chartered to serve the needs of people of Polish and Slavic origin and their relatives who are members of the Polish & Slavic Center.

Savings and loans generally offer services that help customers invest and save. They usually don't offer the same conveniences as banks, but they sometimes offer better interest rates on loans and some interest-bearing accounts.

Choosing Bank Services

Most Americans have a checking and savings account. Checks are the most commonly used method of transferring money from one location or from one person to another. Checking accounts are used for holding money that will be spent paying bills, while savings accounts earn interest and are used for overdraft protection. Banks also provide loans, credit cards, investments and a slew of other services that vary bank to bank.

Choosing a Financial Institution

Smart consumers do some comparative shopping before selecting a financial institution. You can start by requesting information from nearby banks and credit unions. In your research, you will want to find out about a bank's:

• Correspondent relationships - you will be able to get some services more easily from a bank that has a correspondent relationship with a bank in your home country
• Services - does the bank offer the services you want? If you will be transferring money to your home country, check if your branch can handle international transactions easily
• Convenience - bank locations, hours, ability to do transactions easily (via ATM, online banking or by telephone)
• Interest - does it pay interest on the balance for checking and savings accounts? How do the rates compare to other banks?
• Federally insured - Most banks are federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), meaning if the bank goes bankrupt, you will get up to $100,000 of your money back
• Check clearing - what are the policies? How long does it take to clear a check?
• Pricing - check account charges, fees for checks, services like ATM machines
• Overdraft protection - with this protection, your bank will pay for a check if you overdraw your account
• The minimum balance - the least amount of money you must keep in the account before receiving a penalty payment
• Other useful services - such as link-up with savings, charge cards, debit cards, financial counseling and safety deposit boxes
• Personal relationship - courtesy, support services

Avoid being influenced by:

ˇ         Advertising campaigns and promotions

ˇ         Interest calculating methods on interest-bearing accounts (usually insignificant)

ˇ         Prestige (image is unimportant, service is what counts)

Setting up Your Banking Services

Financial institutions will need some proof of identification that you are who you say you are before opening an account. Call ahead to ask what you need, but you may need to provide:

ˇ         Your Social Security number - you can get a social security card for banking purposes from the Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213) even if you don't have a green card to work

ˇ         A photo ID such as a driver's license, passport or student ID

ˇ         A bill with your current address to verify your address

ˇ         Your signature on a card or form that will be kept on file by your bank

Ask for the new accounts department. The bank representative will walk you through the simple procedure of opening an account.

Bringing Funds into the United States

You may electronically transfer any amount of money into the country. However, if you bring more than $10,000 in currency, money orders, checks, traveler's checks, stocks or bonds, be prepared to file a Form 4790 with U.S. customs.

Banks are also required to report all cash transactions over $10,000 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Most banks will now allow you to have bills and payments automatically deducted or added to your account.