by Brooke Famous

Hispanics who are here in the United States on work visas or on a green card sometimes find it difficult to become naturalized U.S citizens because of the cost and length of the process. Also, for those who do apply, there is a real possibility of getting denied for naturalization.

Background
In terms of the process, the first step for naturalization is to see if the person are eligible to become a naturalized citizen. Eligibility consists of:

  • “Being over the age of eighteen”
  • “Being a permanent resident for at least fives years”
  • “Proving that you have lived in the state for at least three months”
  • “Proving continuous residence in the United States for at least five years immediately preceding the date of filing the N-400 Form”
  • “Showing that you have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the five years immediately preceding the date of filing Form N-400”
  • “Being able to read, write, and speak basic English”
  • “Having a basic understanding of U.S history and government (civics)”
  • “Being a person of good moral character”
  • “Demonstrating an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S Constitution”

Once eligibility is established, the next issue is the fees and the possible waiver that comes from the naturalization process. Fees can be upwards of thousands of dollars after you add up the forms, application, lawyer fees, and more. The current fee for naturalization is a total of $680, but will be going up as of December 23, 2016, to $640 plus the biometric fee of $85. There are certain conditions where low-income families can have the biometric fee waved, consisting of being below the 150% poverty line. There are instances where a judge could potentially grant you a waiver depending on where you are located and the district you fall into if you are under the poverty line. Another reason there are problems with naturalization is because people will come and go, which is difficult because they need to be a consistent part of society for years to claim naturalization.

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Solutions 
Immigration reforms are one way to help Hispanics make the process of naturalization easier. With a newer and more improved naturalization process, it will allow the citizen to “focus on the American democracy, U.S history and what is expected of a U.S citizen; increased training of immigration coaches that help applicants through the immigration process and; the development of a web-based learning tool meant to increase the English language skills.”

At Nationalities Service Center (NSC), they give the necessary tools to help Mexican migrants to have a self-sufficient and an open path to the American Dream.

What we as a community can do is; encourage naturalization, remove unnecessary barriers regarding citizenship and acknowledging dual citizenship to advanced integration within the community,  and strengthen constitutional participation.

NSC has helped over 5,000 refugees and immigrants per year with fundamental legal, resettlement, health, and language services, we have several special initiatives that have emerged as a result of client needs. NSC gets involved with advocacy and educational efforts with elected officials, government agencies, and the media. They help to protect, advocate laws, and policies that will benefit immigrants through all levels.

There are multiple organizations and agencies in Pennsylvania that offer financial services for Hispanics who wish to become naturalized. Some organizations and agencies that Hispanics migrants can reach out to consists of Nationalities Service Center (NSC) and the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition.