A U.S. Permanent Resident who has continuously resided in the U.S. for a period of five years (or three years in the case of a spouse of a U.S. citizen) can apply for U.S. citizenship if the permanent resident meets the remainder of the requirements for naturalization. The process of applying for and receiving citizenship takes approximately twelve months and currently requires $725 in filings fees, not including lawyer fees. The length of the process, the documentation required for the application, and the associated fees cause many permanent residents to ask, “Is it worth it to apply for U.S. citizenship?” This is a personal decision, but in most cases, U.S. citizenship is worth the process and fees. Below, learn about five reasons it is worth it for a permanent resident to become a U.S. citizen.
1. Obtaining a U.S. Passport
A permanent resident is not eligible to receive a U.S. passport. For many, the ability to obtain a U.S. passport is the most attractive benefit of U.S. citizenship. Why? Because with a U.S. passport, an American citizen can travel visa-free to approximately 187 countries (note that some of the 187 countries require visas on arrival). U.S. passport holders can travel an unlimited number of times outside the U.S. for unlimited periods of time. If you are traveling by airplane, you can reenter the U.S. through the airport line for U.S. citizens and avoid the extra inspection required for non-citizens. For some, never having to wait on the non-citizens line again is worth the effort and resources it takes to become a U.S. citizen.
2. Voting Rights
In the United States, U.S. citizens enjoy certain rights that are not available to non-citizens. A U.S. citizen has the right to vote in national, state, and local elections, whereas a lawful permanent resident is restricted from voting in these elections. Even though a lawful permanent resident cannot vote for the officials who make policies that affect their everyday lives, a permanent resident is still subject to most of the same laws as a U.S. citizen. If you, as a permanent resident, are unhappy with a policy your representative voted for, you cannot take part in voting that elected official out of office during the next elections. For some, the ability to have more of a voice in American society through voting is appealing enough to dedicate time and money to applying for citizenship.
3. Running for Public Office
If you are a lawful permanent resident with ambitions to run for public office, you will first need to check the requirements of the specific elected position. At the federal level, a person running for U.S. President, U.S. Senator, or U.S. Representative must be a U.S. citizen. In 28 states, a person running for a state elected office must be a U.S. citizen. Some states, such as New York, even require that an elected official be a citizen for a certain number of years before qualifying to be elected. In the 22 states that allow permanent residents to be elected to state offices, the elected permanent resident still cannot vote in national, state, or local elections.
4. Eligibility for Security Clearance
A security clearance is a special designation from the government indicating the holder of the security clearance can be trusted with sensitive information, often related to matters of national security. Security clearances can only be issued by the federal government and are issued to certain federal employees and certain contractors for the federal government.
Most jobs that require security clearance are restricted to U.S. citizens. While some federal agencies make exceptions based on specific projects, an individual with a permanent security clearance must be a U.S. citizen. Therefore, being a citizen opens new career opportunities than those offered to permanent residents.
5. Conferring Citizenship and Residency to Family Members
It is well-known, but still should be noted that the process of sponsoring the relative of a U.S. citizen is often easier and faster than sponsoring the relative of a permanent resident. While relatives of permanent residents are subject to long waiting periods for available visas, immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen (spouse, parent, or unmarried child under the age of 21) have a visa immediately available to them. Some people even wait until after they become a citizen to petition for eligible relatives to come to the U.S. as green card holders or adjust their status to a green card holder while present in the U.S.
Not only can a naturalized citizen sponsor certain family members for lawful status in the U.S., but a citizen can also confer citizenship to their children who under the age of 18 at the time the parent becomes a citizen. Where a parent becomes a U.S. citizen before the 18th birthday of their child, the child may claim U.S. citizenship if the child meets certain other eligibility requirements. Determining whether a child is eligible to claim citizenship through a parent depends on when the parent was naturalized and when the child was born. Because different laws applied at different times, it is important to consult an immigration attorney to determine eligibility for a child to claim citizenship through a U.S. citizen parent.
Everyone’s circumstances and motivations are different but, in general, being a U.S. citizen offers an individual and their family more protection and opportunities in the United States. It may require money, time, and even patience, but the final result often makes for a better life in the United States. If you have questions about how to make the transition from permanent resident to citizen or whether you qualify, contact Vizar Law, PLLC for your naturalization process.
Resources:
https://ballotpedia.org/State_legislature_candidate_requirements_by_state
https://www.elections.ny.gov/RunningOffice.html
https://www.uscis.gov/forms/explore-my-options/citizenship-through-parents
