Department of Homeland Security Mission

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Department of Homeland Security Mission

• Created in 2004
• http//www.dhs.gov/files/ immigration
• Mission
• Prevent terrorist attacks
• Reduce Americas vulnerability to terrorism
• Minimize the damage from potential attacks and
  natural disasters

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano
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Department of Homeland Security
highlighted boxes indicate immigration authority
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USCIS Mission
USCIS secures Americas promise as a nation of
immigrants by providing accurate and useful
information to our customers, granting
immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting
an awareness and understanding of citizenship,
and ensuring the integrity of our immigration
system.
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Naturalization Process Becoming a U.S. Citizen
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Who is a U.S. Citizen?
The 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution
declared all persons born or naturalized in the
United States, and subject to the jurisdiction
thereof, are citizens of the United States.
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Trends in Naturalization

• Approximately 660,500 people are naturalized each
  year.
• Top 7 countries Mexico, India, Philippines,
  Peoples Republic of China, Vietnam, Cuba, and
  the Dominican Republic

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Eligibility Requirements

• 18 years old
• Continuous residence in the United States
• Physical presence in the United States
• Time living where the application is filed
• Good moral character
• Knowledge of English and civics
• Attachment to the U.S. Constitution
• Lawful Permanent Resident

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Eligibility Requirements
Continuous Residence
Continuous residence means that the applicant
has maintained general residence within the
United States for a required period of time.
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Eligibility Requirements
Continuous Residence (continued)

• If absent for 6 months - the applicant must prove
  that he / she did not abandon U.S. residence.
• If absent for 1 year - continuous residence is
  considered broken and the residence requirement
  starts over.

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Eligibility Requirements
Physical Presence
Physical presence is the actual time the
applicant has been present in the United States
prior to filing their application.
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Eligibility Requirements
Physical Presence (Continued)

• The physical presence requirement changes
  dependingon how the applicant qualifies and is
  generally half the time of the continuous
  residency.
• Since physical presence is cumulative, trips
  outside the United States count against this
  requirement.

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Eligibility Requirements
Time Living Where the Application is Filed

• Applicants must live in the USCIS district or
  state where they apply for naturalization for at
  least 3 months before filing.
• Students who are 18 and older may apply for
  naturalization within their schools jurisdiction
  or, if they are dependent upon their parents,
  where their parents live.

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Eligibility Requirements
Good Moral Character

• Applicants must have good moral character
  during a particular statutory period prior to
  filing.
• During an interview, you must tell the officer of
  certain crimes committed during the statutory
  period and you should not lie.

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Eligibility Requirements
Knowledge of English and Civics
Applicants must demonstrate

• Ability to read, write, and speak English
• Knowledge of U.S. history and government (also
  known as civics)

Note A waiver of these requirements may be
granted.
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Eligibility Requirements
Exceptions to Literacy Requirements
At the time of filing an application...
Lived as a permanent resident in the U.S. for
Applicant not required to take
Applicant may choose to take the
If applicant is
Age 50
20 years
English test
civics test in their language
Age 55
15 years
English test
civics test in their language
Age 65
20 years
English test
simplified civics test in their language
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Eligibility Requirements
Disability Exceptions

• A doctor must determine if the applicant
  qualifies for an exception based on a medical
  disability that prevents them from learning.
• Must be at least 1 year old and not caused by
  illegal drug use
• Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability
  Exceptions, should be submitted when filing the
  Application for Naturalization, Form N-400.

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Eligibility Requirements
Attachment to the U.S. Constitution

• Applicants must show willingness to support and
  defend the United States and its Constitution.
• Applicants declare their attachment or loyalty
  to the United States and its Constitution by
  taking the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization
  ceremony.

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Eligibility Requirements
Exemptions for Military Personnel

• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces are not charged
  a fee to file for naturalization or to receive a
  certificate of citizenship.
• Continuous residence and/or physical presence
  requirements may be waived for some military
  personnel.

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Filing an Application for Naturalization
Form N-400

• Download forms athttp//www.uscis.gov/n-400
• To order forms to be mailed, call 1-800-870-3676
  or go online at http//www.uscis.gov/forms
• For the most current forms and filing fees, go
  to http//www.uscis.gov/fees
• Currently 680

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The Interview

• The applicant will be placed under oath and asked
  to give truthful testimony.

• The officer will review the N-400 form,
  eligibility requirements, and allegiance to the
  United States.
• The officer will assess the applicants knowledge
  of English and civics (unless a waiver of these
  requirements has been granted).

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The Interview

• If the applicant passes the test, they will be
  scheduled for the oath ceremony.
• If the applicant fails the test, they will be
  informed of the reasons. Applicants have 2
  opportunities to take the test with each
  application.
• If more information is needed, applicants will be
  given a notice for a continuance.

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Naturalization Interview Video
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Naturalization Oath Ceremony
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Naturalization Oath Ceremony
Oath of Allegiance

• All applicants will take the Oath of Allegiance
  to the United States. (Some applicants can be
  waived from the Oath of Allegiance based on
  disability exceptions.)
• Applicants will become U.S. citizens.
• Certificates of Naturalization are prepared and
  issued as proof of their citizenship.

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Customer Service Tools

• Case status on-line
• Processing times
• INFOPASS
• How Do I? fact sheets
• Free forms
• E-filing
• www.uscis.gov
• Call 1-800-375-5283 for free help!

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Contact Information

• Carla Pendino
• Community Relations Officer
• District 5 Pennsylvania, Delaware, West
  Virginia
• PhiCommunityRelations_at_dhs.gov