The U.S. has an estimated 13.3 million legal permanent residents (also called LPRs or green card holders) according to a recent report from the Department of Homeland Security. Of those 13.3 million, DHS estimates that 8.8 million LPRs currently qualify for U.S. citizenship. Most green card holders are eligible for U.S. citizenship after five years of legal residence in the United States. Spouses of U.S. citizens are an exception; they only have to wait three years to apply for naturalization.
With almost 2/3 of green card holders eligible for U.S. citizenship, why haven't more applied? The Pew Hispanic Center reports that 93% of Hispanic green card holders would like to become citizens, but say they cannot complete the process. Eligible LPRs that opt out of applying for U.S. citizenship often cite these reasons:
- Financial barriers (too expensive)
- Language barriers (not English proficient)
- Don't feel prepared for the U.S. citizenship test
- Simply not interested in going through a new process
Most of these concerns are valid, and the language and financial barriers can be a real burden, but U.S. citizenship provides huge benefits that many green card holders don't realize:
- A one-time naturalization process is much less expensive than multiple green card renewals over time
- Only U.S. citizenship can completely protect you from deportation
- Only U.S. citizens can vote in national elections
- U.S. citizens have preference in sponsoring family members to come to the U.S. on a green card
- U.S. citizens have access to more jobs and college scholarships
- International travel is much easier with a U.S. passport, and you can stay outside the U.S. as long as you want with U.S. citizenship
- The U.S. allows dual citizenship so you don't have to relinquish citizenship in your native country
As we mentioned in a previous post, technology will help lessen or defeat obstacles in the immigration and citizenship process. There are now free mobile apps (such as this one) that prepare green card holders for the U.S. citizenship test, as well as many other free online resources to work on English language skills and to research the most effective and affordable ways to apply for U.S. citizenship.
The value of U.S. citizenship far exceeds the price of the application or the few extra hours spent preparing for a U.S. history and policy test. Talking to an experienced attorney or immigration specialist can help lessen your fears and simplify the naturalization process for you. If you are a green card holder interested in pursuing United States citizenship, visit our U.S. Citizenship page or contact us for a free case assessment.