Part VIII: Becoming a US Citizen

by KYW's Karin Phillips

What is the process of becoming a legal American citizen?
  
Alexander Shraydman says he gets many immigrants looking to become US citizens in his civics class at the New World Association on Bustleton Avenue in the Northeast:

(Shraydman:)  "What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?"
(Student:)    "Freed the slaves?"
(Shraydman:)  "Freed many slaves..."

Judy Bernstein-Baker, executive director of the HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) and Council Migration Service, says history lessons are only one item:

"They must show they have good moral character in order to become a citizen."

She says it takes roughly five years with lawful permanent residency status (a "green card") to become a citizen. And there are many FBI fingerprint, biometric, and background tests. And, she says, you'd better be squeaky clean during your time here:

"If you're a male and you didn't register for Selective Service, that creates an issue. If you haven't paid your taxes. If you have a history of drunken driving, that's a big issue."

And Bernstein-Baker says the cost of applying for citizenship has gone up -- from $400 last year to $675 this year.  

Besides the civics lessons and the background checks, you also have to learn English, because you have to answer the questions on the citizenship tests (both oral and written) in English.
 
Nia Zach has been in the States ten years after leaving Russia. She plans to take her test later this month:

"I want to improve my life. I want to get in, have an American life."