United States citizenship & Voting

There are four ways to become a United States citizen (USC): 1) Birth in the US, 2) Birth Abroad, 3) Derivative Citizenship, and Naturalization. Generally, to naturalize, one has to be a green card holder/lawful permanent resident for five years. Exceptions, if your green card was obtained through marriage to a USC, it is three years.  If your spouse is a USC, in the US military and stationed abroad, it is much less than five years when one can apply for USC.  If your USC spouse is a stationed abroad, and working for a US company that is providing trade, commerce, and other significant benefits to the US, that five year requirement is much reduced. If you are 50 or older and have your green card for more than 20 years, you can take the test in your native language and you are exempt from the reading and writing portion of the test. If you are 55 or older and have your green card for 15 years or more, you can take the test in your native language and you are exempt from the reading and writing portions of the test. If you have a medical condition and a doctor sign off on Form N-648, you may get exempted for taking the entire test. You will still have to show that you are a person of good moral character, you  do not have major crimes, and you do not owe local, state, and/or federal taxes.

It is my opinion that each person who is a USC, 18 or older, and you do not have restricted liberties should vote. In Minnesota, one can register to vote and vote on Election Day. In Minnesota, one can register to vote Online, at the DMV, and at various other outlets.

Marcus Jarvis, attorney. #1 Amazon Best Selling Author: “A Simple Guide to the Immigration Laws of the United States: What you NEED to know when you come to America.” www.m-jlawltd.com . Tel. 763 425 5447. Fb Marcus- Jarvis Law Limited. Twitter: @jarvislawfirm1 . Google: Marcus Jarvis