Challenges of naturalization | Citizenship | High school civics | Khan Academy

TL;DR

The naturalization process to become a US citizen is difficult, with strict requirements, high costs, long processing times, and a significant backlog of applications.

Transcript

• Now that we've talked about the naturalization process and the eligibility requirements for naturalization, let's talk about how difficult it can be to become a naturalized citizen. Immigrant residents seeking naturalization face barriers throughout the process. And it's only become more difficult over time. Immigrants face strict requirements to... Read More

Key Insights

• 😀 Immigrant residents face strict requirements, increased filing costs, and long processing times when seeking naturalization.
• 👥 Priority is given to certain groups, such as immediate relatives of US citizens and those with special skills or talents.
• 🥡 The naturalization process takes years, with a significant backlog of applications and increased processing times.
• 📁 The costs associated with filing a naturalization application have significantly increased over the years.
• 🇺🇸 Employers refusing to hire people from outside the United States can further hinder the process for immigrants without specialized skills.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are some of the challenges faced by immigrants seeking naturalization?

Immigrants face strict requirements, increased filing costs, and long processing times for their applications. Some employers also refuse to hire people from outside the United States, making it difficult to obtain lawful permanent status.

Q: Who gets priority when applying for lawful permanent resident status?

Priority is given to immigrants who are immediate relatives of US citizens, as well as extended family members of citizens and lawful permanent residents. Those with special skills or talents are also in the most prioritized group for employment-based preferences.

Q: Why does the naturalization process take a long time?

One reason is the significant backlog of applications waiting for processing by the federal government. Additionally, the average time to process a citizenship application has doubled since 2012 due to a surge in applications and stricter scrutiny.

Q: How have the costs associated with filing a naturalization application changed over time?

In 1985, it cost $35 to file an application, while now it costs over $1,000. USCIS argues that the increased fees are necessary to offset the growing cost of processing applications and deterring fraud.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Immigrant residents face barriers throughout the naturalization process, with strict requirements and increased filing costs.

• Priority is given to certain groups, such as immediate relatives of US citizens and those with special skills or talents.

• The naturalization process takes years, with a significant backlog of applications and increased processing times.