Each year, thousands of immigrants become naturalized U.S. citizens. The naturalization process brings all the benefits of U.S. citizenship, but the process is both challenging and time-consuming.
To help eligible students move forward in their quest to become naturalized U.S. citizens, Conversational English (CE), a ministry of Montgomery Baptist Association, began offering citizenship classes in January.
“This is the first time we’ve done it, so we’re playing it a bit by ear,” said Bill Lambert, a member of First Baptist Church, Montgomery, who teaches the citizenship class. “We have a broad group of people with various backgrounds, and the objective is to get these students ready to take the citizenship test.”
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website states that the most common path to citizenship is for an individual who has been a permanent resident of the U.S. for at least five years and who meets all other requirements to be eligible for naturalization. Alternate paths to citizenship are available for spouses and children of U.S. citizens and for individuals who have served in the U.S. armed forces. In order to be eligible for naturalization, applicants must hold a “green card” that allows them to live and work in the United States, must be at least 18 years old and of good moral character.
Perhaps the most challenging part of the naturalization process is the language requirement. Applicants must be able to read, write and speak English, and they must demonstrate that knowledge in a 100-
question civics exam. The questions and answers are available through the USCIS website, but learning the answers is only part of the test, according to Lambert.
“The test is an oral test, given one-on-one with an officer from USCIS,” he said. “The student has to understand the officer and be able to respond to the questions in English.”
Susan West, CE director, said the inaugural citizenship class has averaged 8–10 students, including a woman from Bangladesh who had already applied for citizenship and will take her test in February. Another student, a Chinese woman in her 70s who has been in the United States more than 20 years, will soon be eligible as well.
Though not all of those attending are immediately eligible for naturalization, Lambert said the class provides a good starting point for them.
She said the current plan is for the citizenship class to meet for eight sessions and then repeat, but those plans are flexible depending on the needs of the students. For more information, contact Montgomery Association at 334-271-6794 or West at 334-312-7057.
(TAB)
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