A Look at How Immigration Is Handled in the U.S.

 

Nearly 20% of the total population living in the U.S. was born in another country, according to the Migration Policy Institute, and that percentage is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades due to immigration trends and an aging population of Americans.

Approximately 55% of these immigrants entered the country legally through family reunification or employment opportunities; just over 40% came into the country illegally. 

What many people may not realize about immigration laws in this country, however, is how complex and difficult it can be for those who enter the country illegally to legalize their status if they wish to remain in the United States permanently.

What is the current process for entering America

• The current process for entering America for immigrants is a lengthy and arduous one. To start, there are only six types of visas that allow immigrants to come to America: F1, H1B, J1, L1, O-2, and P-4. 

• A person may also be eligible for asylum status or protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). 

• In order to obtain an immigrant visa, the applicant must have qualified relatives living in the United States or an employer willing to petition on their behalf. 

• In order to qualify as a relative, either you must be related by blood or marriage with someone who lives in America and has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (aka green card holder) OR you must have had your refugee status granted by the USCIS.

Who does this affect, and how many people does it affect

Immigration is a hot-button issue for many people, and it affects more than just people who are immigrating to America. 

According to the Pew Research Center, in 2012 there were 11.3 million unauthorized immigrants living in the United States, which is 3% of the population (1). 

This means that every day, 3% of Americans are being affected by immigration policies either directly or indirectly through friends and family members. When looking at those numbers, it's clear that immigration affects an enormous amount of people on a daily basis - not just those moving here from another country. 

In fact, when compared to other immigrant populations around the world, only about 15% of global migrants live outside their native countries and only about 10% come from developed nations like the US (2). 

The percentage of immigrants in the US is much higher than anywhere else in the world because American policies have encouraged migration since colonial times.

What are the positives and negatives of current laws

The positives of the current system include making it relatively simple for immigrants who are already here to become citizens, as well as streamlining and expediting visas for those wanting to come here and start a new life. 

The negatives of the current system are that there is no clear path for people who want to come legally, but don't have any family or other ties here, leading many to cross illegally into the country. 

There is also a lack of visas for those with needed skills and professions, forcing employers to hire undocumented workers which only adds more complications to the process. 

With so much uncertainty on how immigration will be handled going forward, now might be the time to explore options like Green Cards which can give you residency without having someone else petitioning on your behalf.

Possible solutions to fix current problems

The most glaring issue with our immigration system is that it's too restrictive, leading to long wait times and backlogs. The other major problem is that there is no clear pathway to citizenship for those who have been living here since they were young kids and are now adults, yet can't speak English or live a life without their family members by their side. 

We need to make it easier for immigrants to come here legally, while also making sure they're learning English and preparing them for American culture through education programs. Immigrants should be able to become citizens when they turn 18 if they've graduated high school and completed some college credits. 

Those already on the path to citizenship should be able to expedite this process based on years of service (e.g., military service).

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How to Apply for Citizenship in the United States | DYgreencard Inc

 

To apply for Citizenship in the United States, you must meet the requirements of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. These rules and requirements can be found on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.

USCIS also provides multiple ways to become a U.S. citizen. Find out more in the How to Become a U.S. Citizen guide.

Citizenship Testing & Certification

There are multiple steps involved with passing your citizenship test and becoming a U.S. citizen. The actual test is just one part of it. You also need to pass a government background check, take a language test and complete a U.S. civics test.

Even though the actual test is the first step, you can take the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) citizenship exam at home if you do not have a U.S. government-issued license or document that you can take the test with. It’s easier to pass the government-issued license or government-issued document test if you do not have to travel to an actual testing site. You can find out more information about the pass/fail rule for government-issued documents here.

Loan Agreement & Loan and Accompanying Documents

Once you have passed your citizenship test, you are eligible to take an oath to become a U.S. citizen. Your oath of allegiance to the U.S. is similar to the oath sworn to the Queen of England.

To become a citizen, you will need to pay a fee that includes a bond of $725. If you cannot afford the entire amount, you can apply for a grant or loan and pay it over time.

You must pay the bond, background check and citizenship exam fee in full before your citizenship test date. You can complete the application process through an official immigration services agency or directly through the USCIS website.

Citizenship Courses & Application

You will be required to attend a citizenship course. The total cost of your citizenship course can range from $600 to $750. There are also some other options available, depending on your area.

The cost of a USCIS-certified citizenship class can be as low as $120 per person.

If you are applying for citizenship through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and are over 60, you may qualify for a discounted class. The discounted class costs $45 per person.

Once you complete the class, you will have to take an exam to show you are well-versed in U.S. history and government. If you pass the exam, you will receive a Certificate of Citizenship. You will also receive a letter of verification of U.S. citizenship.

You can also complete a naturalization application. These applications can take up to three months to process and are good for five years. Once you have completed the naturalization application, you must return the completed application, your naturalization certificate and fee in the mail to USCIS within three months from the date you mailed the application.

A naturalization certificate also includes an oath of allegiance. A new citizen must swear the oath to the U.S. Constitution. If you choose not to swear the oath, you must then take a test to prove you understand the U.S. Constitution. This is why it is recommended to take a citizenship course before you submit your application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Passing the Naturalization Exam

The Naturalization Exam is the final step in the naturalization process. It consists of 30 multiple-choice questions. You will need to score 30 out of a possible 40. This exam usually costs $160. If you want to avoid the exam and can pass the naturalization test for free, take the citizenship exam before applying for a U.S. passport. This way, you will know if you passed before you apply for your passport.

The Citizenship Exam includes questions about U.S. history, the American flag and Pledge of Allegiance. You will also need to answer questions about the U.S. Constitution.

After you complete the exam, the U.S. government will issue you a Naturalization Certificate. You will also receive a list of documents you will need to apply for your U.S. passport.

Restrictions

You cannot become a citizen of the U.S. without attending a naturalization class and taking an exam. The following citizenship documents are not accepted:

A marriage license

A birth certificate

A citizenship card issued to any immigrant (or his or her child) under age 18 who is at least 18 years old

A naturalization certificate issued by any other country

A certificate of naturalization issued by the state of Alabama

You can still be approved for citizenship and receive the certificate if you complete a naturalization course that is given by an official immigration services agency.

Application Process

Once you complete the application process, the USCIS will send you a Letter of Intent. The Letter of Intent contains all the information you have supplied to the USCIS. You must pay the citizenship fee in full before you begin the application process. The cost of the fee varies by state. If you live in a state that has a USCIS office, you may apply for the fee at that office. If you live in a state without a USCIS office, you must contact the USCIS to ask what your options are.