Immigration is always a common topic in the local and national news, which can cloud the fact that there are regular processes and procedures that thousands of people are following each year to come to the United States. For example, there are currently millions of permanent residents in the country who aspire to become U.S. citizens. What are some of the basics about that process?
Well, for starters, this process is called “naturalization.” For the most part, permanent residents must reside in the United States for at least five years before they can start the naturalization process. Other eligibility requirements are important to pay attention to if you might be thinking of starting the naturalization process.
Eligibility requirements
Besides the five-year requirement, there are quite a few other requirements that must be met as well. For example, the applicant must be at least 18 years of age. For the five-year requirement, it must be shown that the applicant resided in the United States continually for that period of time, and that it was in the five years immediately preceding the date of the initial application for the naturalization process.
There is a “moral character” requirement as well, which can be a bit subjective, but in which applicants must show that they have “good” moral character and have had such character in the five years preceding the application for naturalization. And, applicants must be able to read, speak and write basic English.
There are a number of other requirements as well, and anyone in Michigan who is looking into naturalization would probably benefit from getting more information about their own situation and how they might proceed through this immigration process.
