ANG naturalization ang proseso ng pagbigay ng US citizenship sa isang dayuhan pagkatapos niyang ipakita na kanyang nasunod lahat ng kailangan sa ilalim ng Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Ang mga sumusunod ang kailangan para sa application for naturalization: (1) ang aplikante ay may 18 taon gulang na; (2) siya ay 5 taon nang green card holder o 3 taong green card holder para sa asawa ng US citizen (USC); (3) maipapakita ng aplikante na siya ay may “continuous residence” na hindi kukulang na 5 taon bago i-file ang naturalization application o 3 taon sa asawa ng USC; (4) ang aplikante ay physically present sa US nang hindi kukulang ng 30 buwan sa 5 taon bago i-file ang naturalization application o 18 buwan sa 3 taon para sa asawa ng USC. Ang pagtira sa labas ng US ng mahigit ng 6 buwan ay maaaring maging disruption ng “continuous residence requirement”; (5) siya ay nakatira ng 3 buwan sa State o USCIS district kung saan siya nag-file ng naturalization application; (6) ang aplikante ay may good moral character; (7) siya ay sumasangayon sa mga prinsipyo at adhikain ng US Constitution; (8) ang aplikante ay marunong magbasa, magsalita, at magsulat ng Ingles; (9) mayroon siyang pagkakaunawa ng kasaysayan at gobyerno ng US; at (10) ang aplikante ay kailangang mag oath of allegiance sa US.
Pagkatapos magfile ng naturalization application, ang aplikante ay makakatanggap ng biometrics o fingerprinting notice. Pagkatapos ng mga pangunahing proseso, siya ay makakatanggap ng Interview Notice. Sa Interview, ang aplikante ay bibigyan din ng speaking test, reading test, writing test at civics test. Ang speaking test, reading test at writing test ay kailangan para madetermina ang kaaalaman at pag-unawa ng Ingles. Ang civics exam naman ay magpapakita kung ang aplikante ay may kaalaman at pag-unawa sa kasaysayan at gobyerno ng US. Pagkatapos ng interview, sasabihin ng USCIS Officer sa aplikante kung ang kanyang naturalization application ay aprubado, nasa ilalaim ng pagsusuri, o denied. Kung aprubado ang naturalization application, ang aplikante ay maaaring sumali sa naturalization ceremony kung saan kailangan siyang mag-Oath of Allegiance sa US.
Ang aplikante ay exempt sa English language requirement kung siya ay (1) may 50 taon gulang noong nag-file ng naturalization application at 20 taon na siyang green card holder at nakatira sa US (ito ang “50/20 exemption”); (2) may 55 taon gulang noong nag-file ng naturalization application at 15 taon na siyang green card holder at nakatira sa US (ito ang “55/15 exemption”). Kahit na ang aplikante ay may 50/20 or 55/15 exemption, kailangan pa rin niyang mag-civics test. Maaari siyang mag-civics test sa kanyang tubong lenguahe sa pamamagitan ng pagdala ng interpreter sa kanyang interview. Kung ang aplikante ay may 65 taon gulang at 20 taon nang green card holder noong nag-file siya ng naturalization application, maaari siyang mabigyan ng konsiderasyon para sa civics test.
Ang aplikante ay maaaring maging eligible sa exemption sa English at civics naturalization requirements kung siya ay may pisikal o developmental disability, o pagkukulang sa pag-iisip. Ang mga ito ay maipapakita sa pamamagitan ng certification ng licensed medical doctor, osteopathic doctor o licensed clinical psychologist.
Naturalization is the process by which US citizenship is granted to an alien after he fulfills the requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). An applicant is eligible for naturalization if he fulfills the following requirements: (1) He must be at least 18 years old; (2) He has been a permanent resident for at least 5 years or has been a permanent resident for 3 years as a spouse of a US citizen (USC); (3) He must demonstrate continuous residence in the US for at least 5 years before filing the application; (4) He must show that he is physically present in the US for at least 30 months out of the 5 years immediately before the date of filing the application. Absences of more than 6 months but less than 1 year may disrupt an applicant’s continuous residence; (5) He must have lived for at least 3 months in the State or USCIS district where the application is filed; (6) He must be a person of good moral character; (7) He must demonstrate an attachment to the principles and ideals of the US Constitution; (8) He must be able to read, write and speak basic English; (9) He must have a basic understanding of US history and government (civics); and (10) He must take an oath of allegiance to the US.
After the application for naturalization is filed, the applicant will receive a biometrics or fingerprinting notice. Once the preliminary process is complete, USCIS will schedule an interview, together with speaking test to demonstrate an ability to speak in English, reading test to demonstrate an ability to read in English, writing test to demonstrate an ability to write in English, and a civics test to demonstrate a basic understanding of US history and government. After the interview and exams, the alien will be notified if his application is approved, continued or denied. If the application for naturalization is approved, the applicant can participate in a naturalization ceremony where he would need to take his Oath of Allegiance.
An applicant is exempt from the English language requirement if the applicant is (1) 50 years old or older at the time of filing for naturalization and has lived as a permanent resident in the US for 20 years (this is the “50/20 exemption”); or (2) 55 years or older at the time of filing for naturalization and has lived as a permanent resident for at least 15 years (this is the “55/15 exemption”). Even if the applicant is qualified for the 50/20 or 55/15 exemption, he must still take the civics test. An applicant may be permitted to take the civics test in his own native language by bringing an interpreter during his interview. An applicant who is 65 years or older and has been a permanent resident for at least 20 years at the time of filing the application for naturalization may be given special consideration on the civics requirement.
An applicant may be eligible for an exemption to the English and civics naturalization requirements if he is unable to comply because of a physical or developmental disability, or mental impairment as certified to by a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor or a licensed clinical psychologist.
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ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson are both licensed to practice law in California and in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM aims to provide excellent and efficient legal representation to clients, and support clients in achieving their goals and dreams. As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to educate the younger generation, as it is through education and continuous study that one can achieve success and serve others.
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