Citizenship: Do we Take it for Granted?

 Citizen (noun) 

1. a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it (Merriam-Webster's Dictionary)
2. A citizen is a person who, by place of birth, nationality of one or both parents, or naturalization is granted full rights and responsibilities as a member of a nation or political community. (Cornell Law School - Legal Information Institute)
3. someone who has the right to live permanently in a particular country and has the right to the legal and social benefits of that country as well as legal obligations toward it (MacMillan Dictionary) 

Did you know there is a watch brand named citizen? And a coffee shop? And a band? And numerous apps? While the word citizen has been normalized in our society, many individuals emigrating to the United States understand the term in an entirely different way. Those who are fighting to become a U.S. citizen must go through an extensive, convoluted, expensive and time consuming process. I dare to claim that the majority of U.S. born, English as a first language citizens couldn't make it through this process without some difficulty. 

In order to become a US citizen through naturalization in 2021, the process is as follows: 

(Adapted from How to Apply for U.S. Citizenship | USAGov)

FIRST - Have had a Permanent Resident (Green) Card for at least five years, or for at least three years if you’re filing as the spouse of a U.S. citizen

SECOND - Meet certain eligibility requirements. Some requirements may include being:

• At least 18 years old when you apply 
• Able to read, write, and speak basic English
• Of good moral character 

THIRD - Go through the 10-step naturalization process:

    Step 1: Determine if you are already a U.S. citizen 

    Step 2: Determine if you are eligible to become a U.S. citizen by completing the Naturalization Eligibility Worksheet to help you decide if you are eligible to apply for naturalization

    Step 3: Prepare your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Click here to see the huge list of documents that must be provided when submitting this application: document checklist (PDF, 178.19 KB).

   Step 4: Submit your Form N-400 and pay your fees ($640 filing fee and an $85 biometrics fee) 

    Step 5: Go to your biometrics appointment. Biometrics is a scientific term that means anatomical or physiological data by which a person can be uniquely identified. At your biometrics appointment, USCIS will collect your fingerprints, take your photo, and have you sign your name for electronic capture.

    Step 6: Complete the interview and tests:

• Speaking: Your ability to speak and understand English will be determined by a USCIS officer during your eligibility interview on Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. 
• Writing: You must write one out of three sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to write in English. 
• Reading: You must read aloud one out of three sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to read in English. 
• Civics test: The 2020 version of the civics test is an oral test, and the USCIS officer will ask you 20 questions from the list of 128 civics test questions. You must answer at least 12 of the 20 questions correctly to pass the 2020 version of the civics test. 

    Step 7: Receive a decision on your Form N-400 from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

    Step 8: Receive a notice to take the Oath of Allegiance

    Step 9: Take the Oath of Allegiance to the U.S. - You are not a U.S. citizen until you take the oath at a naturalization ceremony. In order to do this you must Complete the questionnaire on Form N-445 (Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony), report for your naturalization ceremony and check in with USCIS (a USCIS officer will review your responses to Form N-445), turn in your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), take the Oath of Allegiance, receive your Certificate of Naturalization, review it, and notify USCIS of any errors before leaving the ceremony. 

    Step 10: Understand your Citizenship, fulfill ones civic duties and abide by U.S. laws.

The process of becoming a citizen of the United States is extensive. The above steps are merely a summary of the journey one must take when embarking towards U.S. citizenship. 

In another light, it's ironic to me that a nation founded upon refugees, immigrants and those seeking religious freedom has such divisive opinions on whether or not these same groups of people should be afforded safety and equality today. For example, the Trump administration put into law a policy that "narrowed the circumstances in which individuals could show eligibility for asylum." In December 2020, he passed a law that barred asylum seekers who have traveled through another country before reaching the US. or those who did not enter through a designated port of entry. This made it extremely difficult for vulnerable individuals and families to qualify for asylum. Many of which are "survivors of domestic abuse and gang violence." The Biden administration is currently working to appeal this ruling. (Reuters, Week Ahead on Immigration: August 27, 2021, Daniel Wiessner) 

With all of this in mind, I'm led to reflecting on my own U.S. citizenship and the gratitude I feel to be afforded the protection and privileges that come along with my native-born citizenship. It is not something to take lightly nor for granted.