If you want to be able to take full advantage of the rights and privileges of the United States you will have to get citizenship.
Benefits of citizenship include:
- The right to vote in the United States. While some people view this right as a chore, the ability to participate in one’s own government is not something universally accepted though it is appreciated in the United States.
- Citizens can run for office and work for the government of the United States. There is really only one off ice that naturalized citizens cannot hold and that is the office of the president, which requires a native born US citizen.
- Citizens have a much easier time bringing their relatives into the United States. US immigration laws place more value on the relatives of citizens instead of Permanent Residents when considering family-based immigration petitions.
- United States passports afford travelers the protection and assistance of the United States from any foreign consulate at any time during their travels. However, US passports are only available to US citizens.
Citizenship Application
If you are interested in taking advantage of the above benefits of US citizenship, the first step is to get a Green Card.
Green Cards are immigration documents that grant immigrants the right to live and work in the United States. They are absolutely necessary for anyone who is looking to become a naturalized citizen.
After a period of time which will fulfill residency requirements and accustom you to other aspects necessary to the process, you will be able to submit the application for naturalization, N-400.
After approval of your application, completion of the required knowledge tests and the recitation of the Oath of Allegiance you will become a citizen of the United States. And with that status come the rights of an American citizen.