By Radlyn Mendoza, Immigration Attorney and Co-founder of Gardner & Mendoza, P.C.
Why you should apply for U.S. citizenship now – it’s not what you think.
If you’re a permanent resident and green card holder who is eligible to become a U.S. citizen but you haven’t taken that step, why? Since Trump took office, there has been an increase in people wanting to become naturalized U.S. citizens after waiting years and years, but one thing finally pushed them to act: the uncertainty of not knowing if they were truly protected.
If you’ve been putting off naturalization, this is your moment. Below is exactly how to become a U.S. citizen and why waiting could cost you everything.
Why Now? Because the Risks of Waiting Are Too High
It’s understandable to hesitate. You might be thinking:
“What if I apply and something goes wrong? Should I even apply during the Trump administration? Wouldn’t it be safer to just keep my green card and stay under the radar?”
But here’s the truth: If you’re afraid – afraid to leave the country, afraid to get pulled over, afraid of deportation, that’s the reason to apply right now.
Trump is very likely to remain in power for another three and a half years. Do you want to live the next three plus years feeling exactly the way you do now? Scared, uncertain, and unprotected?
What’s at Stake
I’ll never forget how I couldn’t prevent a young mother from being deported to a country she had not been to since she was two-years old. She had a green card. She had lived in the U.S. for over 25 years. Her four young children were U.S. citizens. But she had never filed for citizenship – and mistakes from her past cost her everything.
Had she naturalized, she would’ve been safe. Read her story.
I share this painful story, because I never want to see anyone in that situation – deported to a country she had not been to since she was a toddler, unable to speak the language, leaving four young children behind, robbing her of watching them grow up. To this day, they have yet to be reunited. As an immigration lawyer, I never want to feel that way again – unable to help because of the immigration laws in place that prevented my client from staying in the U.S. no matter what I or any other lawyer did.
How to Become a U.S. Citizen: The 8-Step Process
This process can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to walk you through it, every step of the way.
Step 1: Confirm You’re Eligible
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have had a green card for 5 years (3 years if married and residing with U.S. citizen)
- Have not lived outside of U.S. for 30 months or more during the last 5 years
- Have resided in the district or state where you are applying for at least three months
- Have not taken trips outside of the U.S. that lasted one year or more
- Have good moral character
- Be able to speak, read, and write basic English (with some exceptions) and know the fundamentals of U.S. civics and history
- Be willing to support the U.S. Constitution and take the oath of allegiance
🛑 Watch out for: Long absences from the U.S., unpaid taxes, or criminal records.
Step 2: File Form N‑400 (Electronically or by Mail)
You can file your Form N‑400 two ways:
- E-Filing: Could be faster, is streamlined, and the total cost is $710
- Paper Filing: Mailed with physical documents, and the total cost is $760
📌 Pro Tip: E-filing provides convenience and offers online tracking, but not all applicants qualify. For example, some applicants filing with fee waivers or special accommodations may need to file by mail. Also, if you’re not tech savvy, paper filing may be a better option for you.
Step 3: Gather Your Documents
Have these ready:
- Copy of your green card (front and back)
- Passport, ID, and any travel documents
- Marriage or divorce certificates
- Certified court records (if applicable)
- Tax returns or IRS transcripts
📌 If you’ve ever been arrested, even if charges were dropped, USCIS wants to see certified outcomes also known as certified dispositions. Don’t hide anything.
Step 4: Attend Your Biometrics Appointment
About 30 days after filing, you’ll receive a notice to attend a biometrics appointment at your local Application Support Center (ASC). At this appointment, your digital fingerprints, photo and signature will be taken.
📌 Tip: Rescheduling can delay your application – don’t skip or miss it unless absolutely necessary.
Step 5: Prepare for the Naturalization Interview
Approximately 3-4 weeks before your interview, you will receive an interview notice to attend your interview. You must prepare – please don’t skip this step! You should prepare for the whole interview – not just for the U.S. civics and history test but also for the English tests. What sometimes catches people off guard is that you must have a basic understanding of the questions that are on the N-400 application when the officer asks you the questions.
📌 Tip: Go over your application with a friend or family member. Have them read every question to you and answer them orally like you’re taking a practice test. The whole interview is one big test!
Step 6: Go To Your Interview and Take the Civics and English Tests
This is where you’ll meet a USCIS officer to review your application and test your eligibility.
They will:
- Review your N-400 answers
- Ask about your travel history, taxes, and background
- Test your English speaking and comprehension skills
Bring:
- Green card
- Passport and ID
- Any updated documents
Unless exempt, you must pass:
- Civics Test: 10 questions from a list of 100; you need to answer 6 correctly
- English Test: Read one sentence aloud, write one sentence, and speak conversationally, including comprehension of the questions the Officer asks you from the N-400 application.
🧠 Exemptions Available: If you’re 50+ years old and have lived in the U.S. as a permanent resident for 20+ years (or 55+ and 15+ years), you may qualify to skip the English test or take it in your native language. If you’ve been a permanent resident for 20+ years and are 65+ years old, you only have to study 20 questions. If you need to request an exception to the English and civics testing requirements for naturalization because of physical or developmental disability or mental impairment, you may be able to get a medical exception.
📌 Tip: Be honest and bring documentation for anything that could raise concerns. Expect to answer questions about how you got your green card in addition to the testing. Also expect that the officer will ask you every single question on the application.
Step 7: Wait for a Decision
If you pass your English and U.S. Civics and History tests and the Immigration Officer needs nothing further for your case, they will typically give you a piece of paper congratulating you on passing the tests and that your swearing-in oath ceremony will be scheduled.
Sometimes the Immigration Officer will need additional documents and mail you a request for the documents. Once you send the required documents in, you will typically receive an approval within 30 days.
📌 Tip: Stay patient – but follow up if you don’t hear back within 120 days.
Step 8: Take the Oath of Allegiance
Once approved, you’ll be scheduled for a naturalization ceremony. You’ll:
- Return your green card
- Take the oath
- Receive your Certificate of Naturalization
🎉 You’re now a U.S. citizen! You can register to vote immediately and apply for a U.S. passport and also petition for additional family members. As a U.S. Citizen you can petition for your fiance(e), parents, siblings and married children. Note: Lawful permanent residents can only petition for their spouse and unmarried children.
The Benefits Are Life-Changing
Here’s what U.S. citizenship gives you:
- Protection from deportation
- The right to vote
- Access to federal jobs and scholarships
- The ability to sponsor more family members
- The peace of mind to travel freely
Don’t Let Fear Win
We’re hearing it every day:
- “I’m scared to travel.”
- “Will ICE pick me up?”
- “What if Trump gets rid of U.S. Citizenship?”
If you’re afraid of what might happen under the Trump administration, the answer isn’t to wait, it’s to secure your U.S. citizenship now. Citizenship gives you the one thing a green card never can: true peace of mind that your status is secure in the U.S.
Let’s Take the First Step – Together
At Gardner & Mendoza, we’ve helped thousands of permanent residents become proud U.S. citizens. And right now, we’re seeing more naturalization cases than ever. Because people don’t want to wait for the worst case scenario.
You’re not alone. Don’t stay scared and stuck. You’re ready.
📞 Call us at (757) 464‑9224 or schedule a consultation today.