FULL TRANSCRIPT
[The following is the full transcript of the blog video: Why Naturalize and What are the Main Steps?]
Hi there, this is Eric Whitman. I’m an immigration lawyer. And in this video we’re going to be talking about why naturalize and how to do it. So why would you want to naturalize and become a US citizen, you would be able to vote in upcoming elections, federal state local elections, you will be able to get a US passport and travel the world as an American, you’ll be able to receive a certificate of naturalization, which will allow you to not have to apply for your green card ever again, you’ll be done once do it right. It’ll be complete. You’ll also be able to petition for other family members as a US citizen, which gives you preferential treatment in many categories. In addition, you’ll be able to apply for jobs that some non citizens cannot apply for. And in general, you’re going to be able to enjoy the full privileges of being a US citizen. So how do you do it? There are some key steps, the broad overview I tell my clients is that you first got to confirm you’re eligible. And then the end 400 application has to be filled out, you can do that online. And now we recommend the online filing has been proven to be faster than the paper filing that wasn’t always the case. But online filings are are faster these days. So after you successfully submit the end 400 application with the supporting evidence, your filing fee, you’re going to have a couple weeks to wait before your receipt notice comes back. That’s nice to have your receipt notice confirmation number there so you can look up your case in the my USC is case status website. You’ll then have to go to buy biometrics fingerprinting at the local us cis office that happens month or two after your case has been filed. And now if you like this year, you’re there’s a federal election happening. Good news is that USC is traditionally has been expediting these naturalization applications, so that you ideally would be able to vote this fall in November. So in past years, if you filed your case in the summer, they put you us cis would prioritize your your case, so that you can become a US citizen in time to vote. So they don’t guarantee it and with COVID this year, it is going to be even more difficult. But if you’re able to and you’re eligible to file this summer, all the more reason to go for it.
