Avoid Legal Problems By Preparing Well for Naturalization
When you emigrated from another country to live or work in Florida, you may have been nervous or worried about adapting to a new culture and lifestyle. If you have close family members or friends who navigated the U.S. immigration system before you, they have hopefully been able to provide strong support as you lay the groundwork for your new life in America.
Perhaps like many other immigrants, your ultimate goals include becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States. Such goals cannot be accomplished overnight. In fact, there is a lot you must to do prepare for naturalization. The more you learn about U.S. immigration laws, the better because trying to cut corners or attempting to beat the system can spark serious legal problems.
Taking the naturalization tests
When you apply for U.S. citizenship, it involves a lot more than simply filling out an application and waiting for approval. You must study and take several tests to show proficiency in multiple topics. First, you must show that you can understand, read and are able to write in English.
You must also prove that you know basic facts about U.S. history and how federal, state and local governments function in this country. Taking a civics quiz will also be part of your naturalization process, which is a test that shows you understand what expectations the government has of you to be a good citizen.
Stay updated on information
To score well on a U.S. citizenship test, you’ll want to make sure you have knowledge of current information, such as who is serving as U.S. president or your state’s governor at the time of your test. If an elected official leaves office between the time you study and the time you take the test and you haven’t updated your information, it might cause you to answer a test question incorrectly.
There’s no such thing as too much studying
There are many resources that can help you prepare for naturalization. You can access online practice quizzes, read books at your local library or discuss important topics with someone who has already succeeded in obtaining naturalization. While your test questions will not be the same as his or hers, it’s helpful to hear someone’s experience, which can give you an idea of what to expect.
What if a legal status issue arises?
There are any number of issues that can delay or impede your ability to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. If your immigration papers are not in good order, for instance, or you file the wrong application for a green card, you will have to resolve those issues before you can proceed further toward achieving your primary goal.
If a legal issue arises that places your status at risk, it is always best to reach out for additional support rather than trying to resolve the issue on your own, especially if you have a language barrier or are unsure about your rights as a Florida resident.
