U.S. Citizenship
Citizenship is not always a straightforward process and currently lasts five months. Questions of whether or not a person must wait five years after becoming a resident or if only three years as a resident is needed. Often, someone applying for citizenship must also consider how any past criminal history will affect the case. Finally, concerns over the citizenship test often arise. It is worth taking the time to talk with an experienced Immigration lawyer to receive answers to these important questions.
Required Time as a Resident
Almost everyone must wait five years as a resident before becoming a citizen. Individuals who only need to wait three years are those you are became a resident through marriage to a U.S. citizen and are still married to the U.S. citizen.
Criminal Record
Past convictions may or may not affect the citizenship process. A single DUI, in Oregon, will not affect citizenship as long as the individual is not currently on probation. Other convictions could preclude a person from becoming a U.S. citizen — or worse, could lead to deportation proceedings. This is an area where a small time investment with an Immigration lawyer can protect your resident status. A person in this situation should not file for citizenship until after speaking with a lawyer.
Citizenship Exam
There are several laws that make the citizenship process easier for people in their later years if they have been a resident for many years. For example, a person does not have to take the English portion of the citizenship exam if that person is 50 years or older and has been a resident for at least 20 years. The same is true if a person is 55 years or older and has been a resident for at least 15 years. There is even an accommodation for the civics portion of the test.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website contains many excellent resources to help in the citizenship process: there is an online practice test, a section describing the three part test, and study materials in English and in Spanish.