Why American Citizenship?
United States citizenship is a highly coveted status the world over for a variety of reasons. Many people who immigrate to the U.S. eventually apply for citizenship with the USCIS. Full citizenship confers these and other benefits to the recipient:
- Citizens cannot be deported (unless it is found that their application was filed fraudulently)
- Citizens can carry official U.S. passports which will protect them wherever they are in the world.
- Full benefit of all government programs
- It’s much easier to get family members into the U.S. if one is a citizen
How does one become a citizen?
There are two main ways to become a citizen
- Being born a citizen. If you are born in the United States or have a parent who is a citizen of the U.S you can simply apply for a citizenship certificate to make your status official.
- Naturalization. Foreign Nationals must apply to become a citizen and that is only after they have met the rigorous requirements enacted by law. It can sometimes take a decade to go from a resident of another country to being a citizen of the United States.
Requirements for citizenship include:
- A good record in the United States and abroad
- Permanent Residency for the required number of years
- Knowledge of English, the history of the United States and the national government
How can the Green Card Lottery help?
The Green Card Lottery is a way to get permanent residency in the United States, which is, after all, the first step on the path to citizenship.
50,000 people win green cards every year through this program and it’s as easy as filing a correct application in October. However, competition for the program is stiff, so it’s best to register early.