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Why should I become a U.S. Citizen?

U.S. citizenship provides new rights and privileges that include:

• Showing loyalty to your new country
• Eligibility to vote
• Serving on a jury
• Traveling with a US passport
• Bringing your family to live in the U.S.
• Obtaining citizenship for children born abroad
• Eligibility for federal jobs
• Ability to run for elected office
• Protection against deportation/removal from the U.S.
• Eligibility for federal grants and scholarships
• Ability to receive government benefits

How do I apply to become a U.S. Citizen?

The process of applying for and obtaining U.S. citizenship is called naturalization. In order to apply for naturalization, you must meet the following requirements:

• Permanent Residence: live in the U.S. for at least 5 years as a permanent resident (or for 3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen).
  • Note: The residency date of a permanent resident who entered as a refugee is rolled back to the date of admission to the U.S.  The residency date of a permanent resident who was an asylee is rolled back one year from the date of approval of the adjustment of status application.
• Physical Presence: be physically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months of the previous 5 years (or 18 months of the prior 3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen).
• Good Moral Character: have good moral character (i.e. obey all U.S. laws, no criminal record, etc.).
• Pass the Citizenship Test: pass an English language test and a test of knowledge of U.S. history and government.
  • Note: Individuals with certain medical conditions may qualify for an exception to this requirement.
• Oath of Allegiance: be willing to defend the U.S.
• U.S. Constitution: Understand and accept the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
• State Residency: live in a state or USCIS district for at least 3 months before applying.

Please note that these are general requirements and may differ for a person’s particular situation (i.e. military personnel, individuals older than 65 years). For more information, visit www.uscis.gov and its publication: A Guide to Naturalization.

What if I need help completing the naturalization (citizenship) application?

Contact the IRC Immigration Department at 619-641-7510 ext. 250 for assistance in completing your application and with follow-up services.

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Citizenship On Line - Practice for your citizenship exam, practice tests, the 100 USCIS questions, interview tips and more...

More information on naturalization from the USCIS website

For more information on refugee citizenship and civic participation, please view www.cliniclegal.org/Refugee.html.  On this page you will find useful information about the citizenship test, citizenship for people with disabilities, citizenship advocacy, Board of Immigration Appeals accreditation, community organizing, voter mobilization, and many other topics. 

  Map to the IRC Office: