Resources on Citizenship and Naturalization

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This practice pointer offers practitioners guidance on navigating various scenarios that arise when representing a client in a polygamous marriage and attempts to address the many ambiguities and confusion surrounding the definition and practice of polygamy.

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Translations of the U.S. History/Government Test Questions

The translations listed here were completed by USCIS and community organizations throughout the country. For translations completed by community organizations, the organization's contact information is included on the translation.

***Please note that some information, such as the name of the President and Speaker of the House, changes regularly and may not be up to date. Other information, such as the name of the applicant’s Senator and Governor, will vary depending on where the applicant lives.

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Translations of the U.S. History/Government Test Questions

The translations listed here were completed by USCIS and community organizations throughout the country. For translations completed by community organizations, the organization's contact information is included on the translation.

***Please note that some information, such as the name of the President and Speaker of the House, changes regularly and may not be up to date. Other information, such as the name of the applicant’s Senator and Governor, will vary depending on where the applicant lives.

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As an ongoing commitment to CLINIC’s affiliates, LawLogix, a division of Hyland, is proud to announce the CLINIC affiliate Naturalization Award. Starting January Jan. 1, 2022, this exclusive benefit for CLINIC affiliates using LawLogix’s EDGE case management system will open Naturalization Processes for free. (Note, : affiliates must use the dedicated Naturalization Process function in EDGE to benefit from the award.)

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On Citizenship Day 2021, the Citizenship Test Working Group, a subgroup of the Naturalization Working Group, submitted recommendations to the Biden administration regarding removing barriers in the citizenship test and increasing access to naturalization.

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On Aug. 5, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, updated its policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding whether a child born outside the United States, including one born through the use of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), is considered to be born “in wedlock” under the Immigration and Nationality ACT (INA). This article summarizes the new guidance and provides further analysis on its practical implications for practitioners.

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On May 27, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, updated its Policy Manual regarding Naturalization Eligibility and Voter Registration Through a State’s Benefit Application Process. In many states, the voter registration application has been incorporated into the motor vehicle authority application for a driver’s license. The updated guidance confirms when a false claim to citizenship, unlawful voter registration, or unlawful voting made in connection with a state driver’s license or other state benefit can serve as an “unlawful act” and therefore a bar to establishing good moral character for naturalization. This article summarizes the guidance and provides tips to practitioners to protect their clients from a denied naturalization application or a referral to removal proceedings.

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The Biden administration announced on Feb. 22 it will be reverting to the 2008 version of the naturalization civics test.

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On Nov. 18, 2020, USCIS updated its policy guidance to clarify when naturalization applicants may be found ineligible for naturalization, including if the LPR status was not lawfully obtained for any reason. While USCIS has long taken the position that it can review LPR status again at time of naturalization, this policy guidance invites enhanced scrutiny of many aspects of an applicant’s immigration history. This practice advisory summarizes the Nov.

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USCIS recently modified its Policy Manual regarding adjudication of the Form N-648, disability waiver for the English language and civics requirements for naturalization. Earlier guidance greatly expanded the grounds for denying an N-648 application and made it more difficult for disabled applicants seeking to naturalize. The most recent changes that took effect on Dec. 4, 2020, are minor updates that bring the guidance in line with the latest edition of the N-648.

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On Dec. 1, 2020, CLINIC submitted comments in connection with USCIS’s recent Policy Manual changes at Volume 12, Part E, Chapter 2, English and Civics Testing. In its comment, CLINIC provides expert analysis of the new naturalization civics test and raises concerns about the process and methodology used in developing and implementing it. CLINIC opposes the new civics test because it will increase burdens on applicants, drive up denial rates, and will exacerbate growing backlogs and processing times for naturalization applications.

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This November 2020 State Government Guide presents the economic, legislative and personal benefits of naturalization for aspiring citizens and the communities in which they live.

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CLINIC submitted comments on Jan. 16, 2019 about proposed changes to USCIS policy, procedures and adjudications on the Form N-648 Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, opposing the changes.

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This one-page flyer helps to notify immigrants about the upcoming USCIS fee changes and encourages them to act soon to avoid paying increased fees

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Becoming a U.S. Citizen is an important milestone for many immigrant families that are forced to flee their homes to escape poverty, crime or various forms of persecution. There are many benefits to becoming a U.S. citizen including civic participation, the right to vote, freedom to worship as you wish, freedom to express yourself and overall more opportunities for a safer and healthier life. These benefits extend to receiving communities as many immigrants enrich and invest in their communities.

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CLINIC's civic participation curriculum has four modules that can be used all together or separately. For each module, there is a teacher handbook and a student workbook with readings, discussion questions and activities. We have also provided a student learning evaluation.

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Newly updated in 2015, CLINIC’s study guide for the U.S. citizenship test explains the naturalization testing requirements and contains 13 study units on U.S. history and civics with many colorful and historic photos and illustrations, as well as maps, diagrams, and timelines. It includes a glossary of vocabulary words and test review questions for each unit. There are also discussion questions for each unit, and additional, optional study questions to amplify the content. It is designed for both classroom use and for self-study.

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CLINIC along with 29 other members of the Naturalization Working Group submitted a joint public comment on Oct. 7 opposing changes to Form-648 and instructions, which will put up new barriers for naturalization for applicants with disabilities.

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CLINIC submitted comments about proposed changes to Form N-648 Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions on June 24, 2019, opposing the additional burdens the revised version of the form would place on the applicant and the certifying doctor.

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CLINIC submitted a comment in response to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ proposed changes to Form N-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. CLINIC’s comment focuses on the removal of information about accommodations for those with disabilities, and the inclusion of new questions related to the applicant’s foreign travel and residences and employment abroad.

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CLINIC has filed suit on behalf of a Miami grandmother and widow who is seeking to become a citizen of the United States.

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CLINIC submitted a comment in response to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ proposed changes to Form N-336, Request for a Hearing  on a Decision for Naturalization. CLINIC’s comment focuses on the disparate impact the proposed changes may have on applicants with disabilities and requests that USCIS restore the sections of the form and instructions assisting applicants to understand how to apply for accommodations per USCIS policy and the Rehabilitation Act.

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On May 3, CLINIC submitted a public comment opposing USCIS’ proposed changes to fee waivers, including elimination of the means-tested benefit criterion. In the comment, CLINIC describes how the proposed changes will add burden and inefficiency at all levels, including on individuals, legal service providers, and on USCIS itself.

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CLINIC submitted a comment in response to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' policy guidance changing filing procedures and adjudications for the N-648 Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. CLINIC requested that the revised policy guidance be withdrawn, as it would create undue burdens for disabled applicants, and would introduce suspicion of fraud based on factors that could easily be present in legitimate applications.

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On Jan. 16, 2019, CLINIC submitted its comment to USCIS on proposed changes to the N-400 form and instructions. CLINIC’s comment focuses on ensuring that the naturalization process is accessible and efficient, reducing the burden on the applicant, practitioners and USCIS. In its comment, CLINIC drew particular attention to the redaction of language regarding accommodations for individuals with disabilities and/or impairments and urged USCIS to restore the prior language and information.

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CLINIC is among hundreds of organizations and individuals that submitted comments in response to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ proposed revision entitled “Agency Information Collection Activities; Form I-912; Request for Individual Fee Waiver.” CLINIC opposes the proposed revision, which would eliminate the receipt of a means-tested benefit from the eligibility criteria for a USCIS fee waiver, setting up a de facto wealth test to access the American dream.

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This resource details a list of benefits of becoming a United States citizen, from gaining the right to vote, to sponsoring family members to come to the United States.

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In order to have a successful naturalization workshop your organization needs to do substantial outreach to attract clients and volunteers. This resource provides ideas and tips to help your organization maximize its outreach efforts and assure strong attendance at your workshop.

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This document examines best practices when considering the formation of partnerships and the recruitment, training, and management of volunteers. 

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Conducting a successful naturalization workshop is a challenging undertaking that takes considerable coordination and effort. This resource provides helpful tips to help plan the logistics of your workshop and make sure it is as effective and efficient as possible.

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Citizenship Navigator Using Volunteers to Promote Citizenship - May 17, 2018 

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Every four years, as the country approaches presidential elections, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, receives a significant increase in naturalization applications. This rise is an expression of many long-time residents’ desire to achieve the dream of United States citizenship and participate in one of our most fundamental and valued traditions: open and fair elections. Often, these are our neighbors who, after years of contributing to our communities, have decided they were ready to fully participate in all of the privileges of their home.

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This section of the toolkit includes resources to help you represent clients who are applying for naturalization or who are seeking to establish citizenship through acquisition or derivation.

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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued new guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on April 18, 2018, that relates to the determination of acquisition of citizenship at birth for children born abroad out of wedlock to a U.S. citizen mother or father. This new guidance implements the June 12, 2017, Supreme Court decision in Sessions v. Morales-Santana, 137 S.Ct. 1678 (2017) where the Court determined that it is unconstitutional to have a more favorable physical presence requirement for U.S. citizen mothers of children born out of wedlock than for U.S.

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Use this flowchart to help your staff and clients understand the disability waiver process.

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This fact sheet reviews the naturalization oath ceremony, provides tips for the ceremony and discusses problems that may occur.

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The nuances of U.S. citizenship were front and center in a pair of important recent legal decisions. The Board of Immigration Appeals, or BIA, issued a ruling involving cancellation of a citizenship of certificate. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, struck down the law that treated certain citizen mothers and fathers differently with respect to the ability to confer citizenship on children born outside the United States.

Matter of Falodun

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These postcards on the benefits of naturalization are designed to be used for naturalization outreach. All are size 5x7. You may choose to customize the postcards with your agency’s contact information in the space provided, or use a generic version that provides a link to the CLINIC directory of affiliates instead.

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Have questions about the naturalization process? Check out CLINIC's list of FAQs to get started.

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USCIS has announced a new fee schedule that will take effect on Dec. 23, 2016. Under the new fee schedule, most fees will increase by an average of 21%. All applications postmarked on or after Dec. 23 must have the new fee.

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Whether through citizenship mentoring programs, citizenship ceremonies, or positive communications, there are many ways in which refugees and the receiving community can be encouraged to come together to support our nation’s newest members. This webinar featured innovative, localized examples of how citizenship is being leveraged to engage a broader cross-section of Americans and practical advice on how to collaborate with partners on similar efforts in your own community.

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As Citizenship Week comes to a close, it is worthwhile to remember that naturalization is but one step on the pathway to the larger goal of immigrant integration.  Immigrant integration is the creation of something new in the places where we live – a more inclusive community that reflects the needs and wants of all its residents. Immigrant integration takes deliberate and on-going work by both the receiving community and the newcomers, and it requires a community to grow and change as it stretches to allow everyone a chance to access services, make an impact, and participate actively.

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In this toolkit you will find templates you can use and adapt, as appropriate, to send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper; submit a brief opinion article for possible publication and to circulate a press release to newspapers, radio and TV stations, including those in Spanish or other languages, in your area. The guide also includes prepared tweets and recommendations for social media.

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Request for Accommodations at USCIS Interview Sample Letter

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The United States is a nation of immigrants united by a common creed and shared values. With 37 million foreign born residents, the United States’ strength and vitality depends on the contributions of its newest members. However, the integration of a population of this magnitude and diversity cannot be assumed.

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Citizenship for Elders is a unique handbook for teachers and administrators on creating and managing a citizenship program for the older learner. This handbook brings together the observations and insights of teachers from across the country on older learners from a wide range of cultures. It is based on a nationwide survey of 200 programs. It identifies the issues in teaching elders and makes recommendations for instruction and program design. The recommendations are practice-based, with a focus on innovative and promising practices.