US permanent residence or citizenship Rules: USCIS is making it easier to understand the immigration procedure in the United States to all the applicants across the world. Recently United States citizenship and immigration services- USCIS released a detailed step by step procedure and guidelines to the applications who want to immigrate or get a citizenship in the country accordingly. So if you are also looking to immediate in USA for better opportunities but do not know the procedure or eligibility to immigrate in USA, then you can Check this article where we will share with you details of new USCIS which will give a Clarification to know the Procedure of immigration.
Becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization has some important rules. In the past, people applying for citizenship had to prove they entered the United States legally every single time. Now, the U.S. government has made this easier. They’ve clarified that applicants only need to show they were legally admitted as a permanent resident when they first got their green card. This means if someone originally entered the country legally and became a permanent resident through the right process, they don’t have to keep proving their legal entry for every single move or travel. The new guidance makes the citizenship application process a bit simpler for immigrants who are already lawful permanent residents. The goal is to focus on whether someone meets the overall requirements for becoming a U.S. citizen, like living in the country for a certain number of years and showing good moral character.
What is Naturalization?
The naturalization process in the USA is how a foreigner becomes a U.S. citizen. To start, a person must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as being at least 18 years old, having lived in the U.S. for a certain number of years (usually 5 years for permanent residents), and being able to speak, read, and write English. They must also show they understand U.S. history and government by passing a civics test. After applying, an interview is scheduled, and if approved, the person takes an Oath of Allegiance, swearing loyalty to the U.S. and becoming a citizen.
Court told to USCIS
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) returning to the U.S. after travel abroad, who was treated as an applicant for admission and paroled into the country for removal proceedings (which were later terminated), still met the requirement for naturalization. The court disagreed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) interpretation of the regulations, which stated that a person must prove lawful admission during “any subsequent reentry” to qualify for naturalization. The court found this additional requirement was not in the law, meaning the individual’s earlier status as an LPR was sufficient for naturalization eligibility, even after being paroled into the country.
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Updating new rules
In response to the court ruling, USCIS is updating its policy on naturalization to simplify the process. Now, when determining if someone is eligible for naturalization based on lawful admission for permanent residence, USCIS will only look at the applicant’s first admission or adjustment of status to become a permanent resident. They will not consider whether the applicant was lawfully admitted on any later trips back to the U.S. after their initial permanent residence status. This change makes it clear that only the initial admission or adjustment is important for naturalization, not any reentries after that.
Why This Change Matters
The new USCIS policy is significant for several reasons. It reduces unnecessary paperwork and simplifies the naturalization process, aligning it more closely with court interpretations of immigration law. This change also provides clarity for immigrants, allowing more individuals to pursue U.S. citizenship without the fear of being disqualified due to past reentry issues.
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Important Dates and Next Steps
The updated guidance is effective immediately and applies to all naturalization requests pending or filed on or after November 14, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to gather documentation of their initial legal admission and consult with immigration attorneys if they have questions about their specific situations.