TALLAHASSEE, FL. (WTXL) - Every year hundreds of thousands of immigrants flock to the United States hoping to find work, safety, get an education or to simply be near family. But in order to stay in the U.S. legally they have to go through the Naturalization process.
U.S. citizenship is a lightning rod issue in the 2016 presidential race. Immigration to the United States is often the subject of significant public and political debate.
For many coming to America means opportunity and a better life. In 2015 730,000 immigrants were naturalized in ceremonies all across the country.
Sharon Scheidhauer with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services says, "Migrating to the United States isn't always easy. The journey for some is very dramatic, they are fleeing their home country. For others they are here for a job or for family members. But for all of them it culminates with Naturalization."
Dr. Nico Wienders immigrated from France for opportunity, "I came here 15 years ago for work, I finished my PHD in France and wanted to have some experience over seas. Luckily enough I had a gentlemen in my communication center that was from the U.S in Tallahassee."
Wienders quickly fell in love with the culture and surroundings of North Florida. It wasn't long before he decided to make his stay a permanent one.
According to Wienders, "For me the process of becoming an American starts the day you get in. The day you start to open your mind, the day you start to embrace the culture and the day you start to learn the language. It's a while ensemble of things and ideas and little tiny items that you take with in you. The first step is to be willing to do it. Many people will decide not to because they don't want to commit to becoming American. They feel that they will be denouncing or denying their own culture and origin, so the first big step is to be willing to do it."
The naturalization process itself holds challenges. Not everyone chooses to go through the timely and rigorous process but for those who do, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the pass rate among applicants nationwide is 91% as of 2014. After a list of Visa's an applicant can apply for a Green Card. They must have the Green Card for five years before applying for citizenship.
Scheidhauer says, "For their application for naturalization the first thing that happens is we will send them for an appointment to get their bio-metrics taken. This is where we use their fingerprints to run our back round check and criminal security check to be sure they are eligible that way."
Once bio-metrics are taken the interview process in next, most applicants are required to answer questions about their applications and background in English, as well as pass an English and civics exam. The test portion consists of 10 questions randomly chosen from 100 questions about U.S history, regulation and law.
According to Katiana Coonan who immigrated from Russia, "This is what makes this country so great is the variety of cultures and strengths and perspectives. Everyone brings here diversity and not just immigrants, I am amazed at the diversity of the people who were born here."
Coonan's journey started in Moscow, Russia to be with family. But after having children in the U.S. becoming a citizens became more important.
Coonan says, "When you are not a citizen you think about but at some point after living here for awhile you feel like you belong and that you are part of this community. My children were born here and they are as American as they can be with no accent. Then something happens and you're hit in the face, Oh my God people say I have no right to have an opinion or care because I do not belong here and you understand that but sometimes it feels unfair because I do. I live here, I raise children here and I give everything to this community."
Scheidhauer says, "For all of it culminates with Naturalization. The realization that finally they are here, they have been living here legally, they have been working here legally, raising their families here. Now they can fully participate in our country as a U.S. Citizen."
For applicants who fail the exam there is a three week to three months waiting period until they can retake it depending on what portion of the process they failed. There is no limit on how many times an applicant can apply for citizenship.
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