U.S. Citizenship

Why become a U.S. citizen

To be able to vote and participate fully in an American democracy. Politicians listen to people who can vote.

To prevent the risk of deportation. If you are or have been convicted of a crime and you are not acitizen, you can be deported. U.S. citizens can not be deported.

To protect your children. If you become a citizen before your children turn 18, they are also citizens. They can not be deported as citizens.

Most crimes are now grounds for deportation. Abuse of a spouse, child or partner, violation of an Order for Protection or No Contact Order, any drug crime, any firearm violation, welfare fraud, murder, rape, crimes involving moral turpitude, and most other crimes are causes for deportation if the conviction results in a sentence of one year or more (even if you get only a suspended sentence of 1 year or more).

To help your family members come to the U.S. As a legal permanent resident, you can only petition for unmarried children and spouses. Citizens may also petition for parents, married children, siblings, and fiances. Unmarried children and spouses of citizens wait much less time than permanent residents to receive visas.

To be eligible for state and federal jobs.

In order to continue to receive money from AFDC/MFIP food supplement or General Assistance (GA) you need to apply for citizenship, or be in an English or citizenship class. These actions satisfy the requirements for obtaining these public benefits.

Non-citizens have extra residency requirements imposed on them in the GA and AFDC/MFIP food supplement programs. If you moved to Minnesota after March 1, 1997, you may not qualify for GA if you are not a citizen. If you moved to Minnesota after July 1, 1997, you may not qualify for the AFDC/MFIP food supplement if you are not a citizen.

Refugees, asylees, and people whose deportation has been withheld can get food stamps only for their first 5 years in the United States. You may not be able to get food stamps when you need them unless you become a citizen.

U.S. Veterans and their spouses and children can get food stamps. However, non-citizen veterans who fought as Southeast Asian allies of the U.S. in Laos and Vietnam have no special eligibility for food stamps.

To be able to travel outside the United States and re-enter more easily.

ONLY non-citizens who were receiving SSI on 8/22/96 and non-citizens who were in the U.S. on 8/22/96 that have become blind or disabled can receive SSI indefinitely.

Qualified non-citizens who are elderly (65 or older), but not disabled, and who were living in the U.S. on 8/22/96 and were not receiving SSI may receive SSI based on advanced age only for their first seven years in the U.S., and only if they are refugees or asylees, or have been granted withholding of deportation. SSI may not be there when you need it. Become a citizen.

If you are not a refugee, asylee, or have been granted withholding of deportation and you came to the U.S. after 8/22/96, you will not be able to get SSI until you become a citizen or have been in the U.S. for 7 years.

To be able to live outside of the U.S. and not lose your citizenship.

To be able to run for public office.

To avoid fees and paperwork with the INS. U.S. citizens never have to renew their certificates of naturalization.

To protect yourself from changes that target non-citizens. Government policy is based on whether individuals are citizens or non-citizens.

Eligibility

Be at least 18 years old.

Have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for 5 years, or 3 years if married to a person who has been a U.S. citizen for at least 3 years.

Have been physically present in the U.S. for at least half of required residency period (2 1/2 years for most applicants; 1 1/2 years for applicants married to U.S. citizens).

Not have abandoned residency in the U.S.

Be willing to swear loyalty to the U.S.

Have good moral character.

Read, write, and speak basic English (unless exempt).

Have a knowledge of U.S. history and government (unless exempt).

How to become a citizen

Submit form N-400 to INS with 2 photos and $95.00.

When notified by the INS, get fingerprints taken.

Study English and U.S. history and government.

Take test of U.S. history and government. You may take the test orally during the INS interview or a written test prior to the interview. To call for information on the written test, see last page.

Go to INS for an interview. You will answer questions about history and government (unless you passed the written test) and questions from your application.

If you pass, you will go to a swearing-in ceremony, receive your certificate of naturalization and become a citizen!

Become a citizen now !

The Immigration and Naturalization Service will increase the application fee for naturalization in the nearfuture. The current fee is $95.00 and is proposed to increase to $225.00. As of February 1, 1998 there will be an additional $25.00 fee for fingerprints.

Where to go for help

English as a Second Language (ESL) and citizenship classes, call the Basic Skills Hotline 1-800-222-1990, to speak to someone in English, Hmong, or Spanish.

For testing sites, call the Basic Skills Hotline at 1-800-222-1990.

To receive an application for naturalization (form N-400) call 1-800-870-3676 and leave your name, address, telephone number, and the form you want. You can also pick one up at INS, 2901 Metro Drive, Suite 100, Bloomington, MN 55425.

For Legal help call:

Centro Legal: 642-1890 (Spanish speakers only)

Oficina Legal: 291-0110 (for residents of Ramsey County or Southern MN, all nationalities)

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) 222-3299

For a referral to an attorney:

Ramsey County Bar Referral 224-1775
Hennepin County Bar Referral 339-8777
Minnesota State Bar Referral 1-800-292-4152