Have You Thought About Naturalization?

By: Kirti Kalra

Oftentimes, immigrants wait until they are near retirement age to start thinking about becoming a United States citizen. This is sometimes due to the mistaken belief that only U.S. citizens are eligible for Social Security benefits. Fortunately, that’s not the case. Immigrants working in the United States may qualify for Social Security Benefits if they are of qualifying age, have maintained the required legal status, and have earned the necessary number of work quarters to be eligible.

However, while citizenship is not a requirement for receiving Social Security, naturalization is still incredibly important for many other reasons. First and foremost: security and stability. While uncertainty may persist in the United States, there has been no indication that naturalized citizens can be deported or removed, except in cases where citizenship was fraudulently obtained.

Risks for Noncitizens

 While naturalized citizens are currently protected, Permanent Residency can be revoked for a multitude of reasons. In addition to fraud, it can be lost due to the following:

1. Criminal Activity – If a person is convicted of certain crimes, such as drug offenses, domestic violence, fraud, or crimes of moral turpitude, they may lose their permanent resident status.
2. Abandonment – Immigrants who leave the United States for extended periods (for example, to care for aging parents) without proper re-entry permits or advance parole may be deemed to have abandoned their residency.
3. National Security Concerns – The U.S. government has broad authority in this area. In the current political climate, even an unintentional association with a group deemed a national security threat could pose risks to a permanent resident.
4. Public Charge – If a person becomes heavily reliant on certain government benefits, they may be considered a public charge, which can lead to revocation of permanent residency.

Benefits of Becoming a U.S. Citizen

Aside from avoiding risks, what are the benefits of becoming a U.S. citizen?

In addition to the security and stability mentioned earlier, U.S. citizenship provides full voting rights and the ability to run for public office.

It also expands the ability to sponsor certain relatives for immigration, enabling family reunification in ways not available to permanent residents. Moreover, citizens can access additional federal educational benefits and enjoy visa-free travel to many countries with reciprocal agreements with the U.S.

Costs of Naturalization

Filing fees are currently $760 for paper applications and $710 if filed online. Some individuals may qualify for a reduced fee of $380, or even have the fee completely waived, depending on their financial situation.

Conclusion

For more information, help applying for citizenship, or any case specific questions, please contact the trusted Chugh, LLP immigration team.