What is the process for becoming a U.S. citizen?

Becoming a United States citizen is a process that can take some time. To become a citizen you must first be a lawful permanent resident of the United States. Permanent residents are generally green card holders and can be eligible to become a United States citizen after five years of holding a green card. After obtaining a green card, an individual must fill out an application to become a United States citizen known as Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. This form must include the individual’s personal information, such as name and date of birth, as well as background information, including criminal history. Once the application is submitted, the individual will receive an Interview Notice and be scheduled to have an interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer. During the interview, the officer will ask the applicant a series of questions to test their knowledge of United States history, geography, and government. After the interview, the applicant will take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States and become a citizen. The Oath of Allegiance states that the individual promises to abide by the laws and regulations of the United States and renounce any allegiance to another country or its laws and customs. Once an individual has completed the application, interview, and oath processes, they will officially become a United States citizen with all the rights and privileges that come with it. Becoming a United States citizen is a challenge and a privilege and each applicant should carefully consider the requirements before beginning the process.

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El proceso de convertirse en un ciudadano estadounidense varía dependiendo de dónde se encuentre el solicitante. En Virginia, el primer paso es obtener una tarjeta verde para la legalización permanente de un individuo. Esto se logra a través de un patrocinador, que debe ser un ciudadano de EE. UU. O un residente permanente legalmente autorizado. Una vez obtenida la tarjeta verde, el solicitante debe cumplir con los requisitos de residencia de los Estados Unidos durante los cinco años siguientes, a menos que el patrocinador sea el cónyuge de un ciudadano estadounidense. Luego de satisfacer los requisitos de residencia, el solicitante debe completar una Solicitud de Naturalización (Formulario N-400) y presentarlo al Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS). La solicitud debe ser acompañada de una copia de un pasaporte válido, dos fotos recientes, copias certificadas de documentos de nacionalidad, prueba de contacto con el gobierno y prueba de residencia. El solicitante debe también estar al tanto de las leyes de los Estados Unidos, la Constitución estadounidense y los derechos y responsabilidades de los ciudadanos estadounidenses. Una vez aprobada la solicitud, el solicitante deberá asistir a una entrevista con un agente de USCIS. Si la entrevista se realiza con éxito, el solicitante pasará a la siguiente etapa, que es un examen escrito y oral de la ciudadanía. Si el examen es exitoso, el solicitante debe asistir a la ceremonia de jura de lealtad. Para completar el proceso, un certificado de nacionalidad debe ser emitido por el USCIS.

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