It’s difficult to leave the home and country you’ve lived in and loved for so long. But, for some, it’s the choice between life and death.
It’s not fast or easy, but becoming a U.S. citizen provides all the rights and protections of someone natural-born and is a milestone for many refugees seeking to build a new life in America.
What does it mean to be a refugee?
Refugees are people who have been forced to flee their home country due to persecution based on race, religion, nationality, politics or membership in certain social groups. The first step to being designated as a refugee is to cross an international border to seek protection. Once they have done so, they must apply for asylum in a host country or through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The UNHCR will conduct an interview to determine if an individual meets the refugee criteria, which include the following:
- Fear of persecution in their home country
- Inability to return to their home country
- Unable to obtain protection in their home country
After entering the U.S., refugees need to wait one year before applying for their green card. Afterward, they must fulfill a residency requirement of five years as permanent residents. However, the one year spent as a refugee can be counted towards the five-year requirement.
Once the five years are up, the refugee, as a permanent resident, can submit the Application for Naturalization. The application takes approximately 15-16 months to process. However, once it is approved, the individual who came to the United States as a refugee several years ago can take the final step of attending a naturalization ceremony, where they will take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.
Taking the path from refugee to U.S. citizen requires resilience and determination. Furthermore, the process can be difficult to navigate sometimes. Having someone by your side to help with the applications and interviews offers the best opportunity to secure a future in the United States.