Naturalization process

Becoming a U.S. citizen has never been a dream growing up or anything like that, but with the recent years, the idea of calling the United States my home, with all the rights and responsibilities that come with it, has become a necessity. Today, I want to share my journey to naturalization in the USA.

The Decision
My journey to naturalization began with a decision. I had been living in the United States as a permanent resident for several years, and though I am still working of the sense of belonging and attachment to this country, I knew that becoming a U.S. citizen was the next logical step in my journey. For practical reasons (freeing my mother-in-law from her sponsorship) but also being able to vote and be a full participant in the community I live in.

The Research
The naturalization process is quite a straightforward process, but I was initially surprised that I was not eligible after 3 years of living in the USA being married to a US citizen. You have to live TOGETHER to be eligible and obviously, with an incarcerated husband I didn’t fit this criteria. There are exception if you are “involuntarily” separated, for example if your spouse is in the army, but prison is considered “voluntary”, yes…
So I had to wait 2 more years to qualify.

The Application
After gathering all the necessary documents, I filled out Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization. This step required careful attention to detail, as always with USCIS,  as any mistake  could lead to delays in the process. They asked information on where you lived and worked and so on for the last 5 years – so if you moved, you need to know the dates of each move.
I submitted the application and awaited a response from USCIS.

The Biometrics Appointment
A few weeks later, I received notice of my biometrics appointment. This required me to provide my fingerprints and have a (super ugly) photograph taken. It was a straightforward step, but it felt like another milestone closer to my goal.

The Interview
In the meantime, in May 2023, my removal of condition was finally approved with no interview. My interview for my naturalization took place on June 15th, 2023.
The interview with the USCIS officer was a stressful as I had to demonstrate my knowledge of U.S. government and history and prove my proficiency in the English language. I was understandably nervous, but the officer was friendly, which put me at ease. They are really not there to make you fail at all.

The Civics and English Tests
The day of the interview you have to pass the naturalization test (during the interview, it is not a separate test). When June 15th arrived, I was well-prepared. I had been working on the hundred civic questions for the past couple of months. I answered questions about the Constitution, history, and government with surprising confidence. The English language test went smoothly as well. Passing these tests was a moment of immense relief, as they symbolized the end of my journey with USCIS and my first step into integrating into American society.

The Short Wait
After successfully completing the interview and tests, I was right away given the date of  my Oath ceremony (June 28th, 2023). In the meantine, USCIS conducted a thorough background check, and you have one last form you have to fill the day of the interview, ensuring that you still  meet all the eligibility requirements.

The Oath of Allegiance
The culmination of my journey to naturalization was the Oath of Allegiance ceremony. The room was filled with people from diverse backgrounds and countries. We were allowed to have one guest each. We took the oath, pledging our allegiance to the United States. It was a moment of celebration for many, marking the end of one journey and the beginning of a new one as a U.S. citizen.

The Benefits of U.S. Citizenship
Becoming a U.S. citizen has opened up a world of opportunities for me. I can now vote, sponsor family members for Green Cards, travel more freely, and enjoy the social security benefits that come with citizenship. These privileges have made all the effort and patience worthwhile.

My journey to naturalization in the USA was a challenging but rewarding experience. This journey has shown me the importance of perseverance, dedication, and the power of dreams realized. If you’re on a similar path, remember that your journey is unique, and each step brings you closer to your own moment of triumph.