Becoming a U.S. Citizen: A Guide to the Law, Exam & Interview

Table of Contents......Page 9
Introduction......Page 13
1. Deciding Whether to Apply for Citizenship......Page 17
A. The Disadvantages of Applying for Citizenship......Page 18
B. The Advantages of U.S. Citizenship......Page 24
2. Are You Eligible for U.S. Citizenship?......Page 29
A. Confirming Your Permanent Resident Status......Page 31
B. Your Physical Location During Permanent Residency......Page 37
D. Demonstrating Good Moral Character......Page 45
F. The U.S. History and Government Exam......Page 55
G. Loyalty to the U.S.......Page 57
H. Overview: Are You Ready to Apply?......Page 58
3. Preparing and Submitting Your Application......Page 59
A. What You’ll Put in Your Application Packet......Page 60
B. Preparing Your Cover Letter......Page 61
C. Filling Out USCIS Form N-400......Page 62
D. Submitting the Application......Page 69
4. Between Filing and Interview: Dealing With the Wait......Page 75
B. Tracking Your Application and Dealing With Delays......Page 76
C. If You Move or Go on Vacation......Page 84
D. Requesting Emergency Attention......Page 86
E. When All Else Fails, Call Your U.S. Congressperson......Page 87
5. Preparing for the English Exam......Page 89
B. How USCIS Tests Your English......Page 90
C. Study Resources......Page 92
6. Preparing for the U.S. History and Government Exam......Page 95
A. Your Exam Preparation Strategy......Page 96
B. Learning the Answers to the Sample Questions......Page 97
C. The 25 Questions for Applicants Age 65 and Older......Page 108
7. Overcoming Disability When Applying for Citizenship......Page 111
A. How to Become the Applicant’s Designated Representative......Page 112
B. Accommodating Your Disability......Page 113
C. Obtaining a Disability-Based Waiver of the Exam Requirements......Page 116
D. Requesting a Waiver of the Oath of Allegiance Requirement......Page 121
8. The Interview......Page 123
A. Final Preparation......Page 124
B. The Interview......Page 128
C. If the Interview Goes Badly......Page 131
D. Approval or Denial: What’s Next?......Page 132
9. Denials, Appeals, and Repeat Interviews......Page 135
B. Providing More Documents......Page 136
C. Choosing to Appeal or Reapply......Page 139
D. How to Appeal......Page 140
F. Reapplying for Citizenship......Page 145
10. Legal Help Beyond This Book......Page 149
A. When Do You Need a Lawyer?......Page 150
C. Avoid Sleazy Lawyers......Page 151
D. Choosing Among Lawyers......Page 152
E. Signing Up Your Lawyer......Page 155
G. Do-It-Yourself Legal Research......Page 156
11. After You Are Approved......Page 159
A. The Swearing-In Ceremony......Page 160
D. Citizenship for Your Children......Page 164
E. Helping Other Family Members Immigrate......Page 166
Glossary......Page 169
Appendix A. Sample U.S. History and Government Questions With Answers......Page 173
Appendix B. Tear-Out Immigration Forms......Page 183
G-14 (No title—an information-gathering form)......Page 185
G-325B Biographic Information......Page 187
N-336 Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA)......Page 189
N-400 Application for Naturalization......Page 199
N-426 Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service......Page 209
N-648 Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions......Page 217
Index......Page 225