How can you make a difference in a democracy?
By 2010, nearly 40 million Americans, or about 13 percent of the U.S. population, were foreign born. Every year, hundreds of thousands of immigrants become U.S. citizens. They usually receive their citizenship at a large ceremony, along with many other new citizens. For most, the occasion is filled with emotion.
For Alberto Olivarez, the citizenship ceremony was a bit different, though no less emotional. In 2006, Olivarez, a Mexican-born teacher at an elementary school in Brighton, Colorado, took his oath of citizenship alone, standing before an audience of students and their parents in his school gymnasium. Like Olivarez, many in the audience were immigrants or children of immigrants.
Olivarez’s wife and three children sat on the stage with him as he pledged to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” With this oath, Olivarez became a U.S. citizen, just as he had expected. What came next, however, surprised him. The school principal explained to the audience that Olivarez’s citizenship automatically made his three young sons American citizens as well. Upon hearing this news, Olivarez burst into tears. It was a benefit of citizenship he had never imagined.
There are two ways to become a U.S. citizen. The most common way is by birth. Most Americans are born in the United States, though some are born in another country to parents who are U.S. citizens. Either way, citizens by birth automatically enjoy all the rights, privileges, and protections of citizenship.
The other way to become a citizen is through naturalization. This is the path that Alberto Olivarez and other naturalized citizens have taken. Naturalization is a multistep legal process that, when completed, gives the applicant virtually all the rights and responsibilities of a native-born citizen.
In 2011, nearly 700,000 people became U.S. citizens through naturalization. The largest group of new citizens came from Mexico, but tens of thousands also came from India, the Philippines, China, Columbia, Cuba, and other countries.
Immigrants must meet several requirements to be eligible for naturalization. They must be at least 18 years old and lawful permanent residents of the United States. In most cases, such immigrants, also known as resident aliens, must have lived in this country overall for at least five years to be eligible for naturalization.
After meeting those requirements, the next step is to complete an application for naturalization. If the application is approved, the applicant has an interview with an immigration official. At this meeting, applicants are tested on their ability to speak, read, and write English. They also take a civics test to show basic knowledge of American history and government. Sample questions from the test appear at the end of this chapter.
Naturalization gives new citizens the right to vote and run for any public office except that of vice president or president. The Constitution says that only native-born citizens can hold these offices. Critics of this rule argue that it is no longer necessary or fair because it excludes qualified foreign-born officials. However, supporters of the clause highlight its importance in preventing foreign influence over the U.S. government.
Immigrants do not need to become citizens to stay in the United States legally, however. They may remain here indefinitely as lawful permanent residents. In 2011, the U.S. government granted permanent residency to more than 1 million people.
Immigrants seeking permanent resident status also go through an application process with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. Preference is given to immigrants whose job skills are needed by U.S. businesses or who are related by birth or marriage to a U.S. citizen. Those who successfully complete the application process receive an identification card known as a green card. A green card provides proof that its holder has a legal right to live and work in the United States.
Resident aliens enjoy most of the rights of citizens. These include the right to travel freely outside the country. However, if resident aliens plan to be away for more than a year, they must apply for a reentry permit. Without this permit, they may be refused reentry to the United States. Resident aliens may also lose their permanent resident status and be deported if they are convicted of criminal activity.