Citizenship Process Presentation for ESOL Instructors

1
Citizenship Process Presentation for ESOL
Instructors

• Presented by
• Ely P. Borjal
• SDAO, USCIS
• Orlando, Florida

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Basic Requirements for Citizenship

• Must be an legal permanent resident (LPR) and at
  least 18 years old
• Must have at least 5 years of being an LPR
• If married to a US citizen, must have at least 3
  years of LPR and marriage to US citizen
• Apply for naturalization using N400 form

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Basic Requirements for Citizenship

• For a complete guide go to the website below
• A Guide to Naturalization
• This page can be found at http//www.uscis.gov/nat
  zguide
• Recent changes in immigration law and USCIS
  procedures now make it easier for U.S. military
  personnel to naturalize (see Naturalization
  Information for Military Personnel).
• A Guide to Naturalization (M-476) provides
  information on the benefits and responsibilities
  of citizenship, an overview of the naturalization
  process, and eligibility requirements.
•  

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Application form

• Use the Application for Naturalization form
  (N-400)
• Form can be obtain from the local USCIS office
• Form can be downloaded from USCIS website
• USCIS.GOV

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How can you help your students?

• Assists in completing the form
• Assists in the applicant understanding the form
• Truthful in the form completion
• The interview consists of verifying information
  on the form
• Applicant must show understanding of the
  questions on the form.

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How can you help your students?

• Oath of Allegiance help them understand it.
• Most important part as they will have to take the
  oath to become a US citizen.

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• Where Do I Send My Application
• Application must be sent to the Service Center
  having jurisdiction on the State of residence of
  the applicant.

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• If you live in one of these states, please mail
  your application or petition to the Texas Service
  Center.
• Florida
• N-400NaturalizationUSCIS TSC PO Box
  851204Mesquite, TX 75185-1204

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Citizenship process

• After form submission, background investigation
  will be conducted.
• FP to check for any criminal records
• Name Check conducted by FBI
• The above must be completed prior to be schedule
  for interview.

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Interview Process

• Receive interview letter if unable to attend,
  write a letter to request for reschedule
• Must be done in a timely manner.
• Attend interview at the designated office.
• Arrive within 1 hour of interview.
• Bring any arrests and court disposition
• (must be certified copies)

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Interview Process

• Interview with the designated officer
• Applicant will be placed under oath
• Applicant must understand what it is to be placed
  under oath.
• If the applicant cannot be placed under oath, the
  interview cannot proceed as the applicants
  statement or answers must be given under oath.

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Interview Process

• Officer will review the application form
  information with the applicant.
• Questions will be ask regarding selective answers
  on the form.
• Applicant will sign form at the completion of the
  form review.
• Test will be give for civics/history
• Applicant will be tested for English, reading and
  writing a sentence.

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Interview Process

• If applicant fails either one of the tests,
  he/she will be given another chance to take the
  tests after 60 days.
• If on the second chance the applicant fails it
  again, the application will be denied.
• If the person passes the test, he/she will be
  schedule to take the oath of allegiance and
  become a US citizen.

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Oath Ceremony

• Designated time and place
• Must attend to take the oath of allegiance
• Need to bring alien registration card
• Can bring guests
• Receive naturalization certificate

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• QUESTIONS?????
• QUESTIONS?????
• QUESTIONS?????