These are the five worst mistakes immigrants make when applying for U.S. citizenship
The dream of hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the United States is to one day declare the Oath of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony and become a U.S. citizen.
Immigrant advocates are recommending that those who qualify apply for citizenship now, before new regulations designed to restrict both legal and illegal immigration and changes that tighten the criteria for the adjudication of immigration benefits make the process more challenging.
Once immigrants become U.S. citizens, they can obtain U.S. passports, register to vote and update their Social Security records.
But applying for citizenship is a process that requires answering questionnaires, submitting documents and passing a much feared naturalization test, in which immigrants must prove they can read, write and speak basic English, and have essential knowledge of U.S. history and government.
U.S. government web resources in Spanish-language recommend avoiding the five most common mistakes during the citizenship application process:
Failing to double check the application before submission
Many applicants focus on studying for the naturalization test, and often forget to review their answers in the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
Read more: Here’s what it takes for an immigrant to get a green card — and not lose it
Failing to submit citizenship proof for spouse
If a foreigner is applying for citizenship through marriage to a U.S. citizen, they must submit copies of their marriage certificates as well as proof that the spouse is a U.S. citizen, presenting either a U.S. birth certificate or a U.S. passport.
Read more: Green cards are only available to immigrants who fall under one of these categories
Paying the wrong fees
Petitions that do not include the correct fee payment are rejected, and applicants are required to resubmit their applications with the correct amounts. The form must be submitted along with $725 fee payment, which includes $85 for the biometric services. (A Department of Homeland Security proposal aims to raise the fee to $1,170.)
Failing to submit supporting documents on time
During the initial interview, a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official may ask for additional documents, to be submitted by a later date, in addition to the letter the petitioner receives during the interview. Failure to do that on time delays the process.
Read more: Here are some of the worst mistakes immigrants make applying for legal papers
Failure to meet the eligibility requirements before submitting the application
Immigrants sometimes submit their applications before they actually meet the requirements, especially having had permanent resident status for five continuous years, or three if he or she got a green card through a U.S. citizen spouse, and being 18 or older at the time of filing.
Another requirement is having enough knowledge to pass an English and civics test, and to answer all questions relating to the naturalization application in English.
For more details, take a look at this English-language USCIS guide to the naturalization process.
Daniel Shoer Roth is a journalist covering immigration law who does not offer legal advice or individual assistance to applicants. Follow him on Twitter @DanielShoerRoth. The contents of this story do not constitute legal advice.
Read more about legal and immigration issues in Spanish at AccesoMiami.com
Read more: There’s a new hurdle for U.S. asylum seekers. This one involves work permits
This story was originally published December 20, 2019 at 9:11 AM with the headline "These are the five worst mistakes immigrants make when applying for U.S. citizenship."
