1. How to become US Citizen
Path to Citizenship
How to become US Citizen

2. Citizenship Granted-
14th Amendment gives all persons* born or naturalized are citizens.
States can’t deprive person of life, liberty, property w/o due process
Equal protection of the laws
*Native Americans were not considered US citizens until June 2, their reservations were considered sovereign nations where they made own independent decisions. (Couldn’t vote- limited rights in US)
1957- was when all Native Americans could finally vote in state elections

3. By Birth
jus soli- (by soil), commonly referred to as birthright citizenship, is the right of anyone born in the territory of a state to nationality or citizenship
30 of the world's 194 countries grant citizenship at birth to the children of undocumented foreign residents
US is one of them
jus sangiunis- (by blood) is a principle of nationality law by which citizenship is not determined by place of birth but by having one or both parents who are citizens of the state.

4. The Process- In the US legally for 5 yrs
Do an interview and test on basic US knowledge
Must be of high moral and legal standing
Mentally ill, have a criminal record- probably not happening
Cost $725 plus anything you pay to learn about the US and to learn English if needed.
Timeline- less than a yr to several years.

5. By Refugee Status-
Asylum seeker- a person not determined to be a refugee yet….
People has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war, or violence.
Refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group and special humanitarian concern to US
Who gains Refugee status?
Timeframe to become Refugee:
1 year at best
2 for most
2.5 for Syrian
‘16 US spent $514 million on refugee resettlement.
Kids of Syria
Life in the Camps
The forgotten generation
Myanmar

6. By Refugee Status
Once here- can move about the country like a normal citizen
settlement agencies are responsible for placement services in the first 30 to 90 days after arrival.
includes finding safe and affordable housing and providing a variety of services to promote early self-sufficiency and cultural adjustment.
Settle near family in the US=better success.
Classified as refugee for 12 months then transition to a legal documented resident (green card).
After 5 years can choose to find sponsor, take test, become citizen.

7. By Immigration Apply for a VISA of Green Card
Green Card- permanent legal resident status
To live and work anywhere in the US
Green Card holders cannot receive government assistance
Education assistance in the form of loans (so FASA)
Can receive Social security if they worked in the US for 10 yrs
Once permanent resident (Green Card) can apply after 5 yrs.

8. By Undocumented Immigration
Stayed flat 11.3 million for 8 yrs
Better security and improved Mexican economy
Not allowed to become citizens*
Can marry a US citizen*- but can be sent back to home country to apply.
Adult children/step children can be barred for 3-10 yrs.
Help law enforcement or were a victim of a crime*
Ex- cocaine mules/sex trafficking victims.
Reason- more likely to cooperate.

9. By Marriage- Marry for true reasons
Obtain a Green Card for 3 years- then you can apply to be a US Citizen
You do NOT have to become a US Citizen
Mail order brides are considered fraud- marriage only for green card.
Do a Green card interview for fraud.
3 months after application
Marriage does NOT guarantee citizenship

10. Sample Questions What is your spouse’s date of birth?
How, when and where did you meet your spouse?
How many days after you first saw her/him did you call her/him?
When did you see your spouse a second time?
What did you do with her/him?
Where and with whom did your spouse live when you met your spouse?
Did she ever come up to see you?
Where did your spouse work when you met your him/her?
What type of work did he/she do?
Where did your spouse work when you met? What type of work did your spouse do?
What type of work does your spouse do?
What is your spouse’s work schedule?
What is your spouse’s salary?