Working Toward Citizenship
ABE classes that help prepare adults for their U . S . citizenship test make a significant difference in the lives of our adult learners
Adult learners are motivated to pursue U . S . Citizenship for a number of reassons . They may seek to be able to vote , reunite with family members , obtain citizenship for children born abroad , travel with a U . S . passport , become eligible for federal jobs , become an elected official , or to show patriotism and commitment to their new country . This past year , Metro North ABE served 41 adult learners through Citizenship and Naturalization Test preparation classes at the Anoka Technical College and Columbia Heights / Fridley locations . Learners study 100 civics questions and reading and writing in English to prepare for the official interview to gain U . S . Citizenship .
The Naturalization Process
The path to citizenship requires great preparation to complete the process and take their Oath of Alliegiance .
1 . Determine eligibility
A person must be at least 18 years old and a permanent resident for at least 5 years ( or 3 years if married to a U . S . citizen ) and meet all other eligibility requirements .
2 . Complete the naturalization application , N-400
The current filing fee is $ 640 plus an $ 85 biometrics fee for a total fee of $ 725 .
3 . Complete a background check 4 . Complete the interview 5 . Pass or fail the interview
If an applicant passes they are then invited to an Oath Ceremony . An applicant is not officially a U . S . Citizen until they complete the Oath Ceremony .
“
Whenever I have free time , I study . I ’ m very happy now .
“
A recent graduate of the Citizenship class offered in Columbia Heights , Dinh Truong has been attending classes with Metro North ABE since arriving in Minnesota . He successfully completed his naturalization interview and received his U . S . Citizenship on May 30 , 2017 . “ I (‘ m ) very happy . Now , I think I can to vote . In the President next time , I can to vote ,” Dinh proudly shared .
Dinh finished college in mechanical engineering in Vietnam and worked in that field for four years . His father sponsored him and his family to reunite in the U . S . in 2010 . They settled in
Minnesota where his wife ’ s family lives .
Dinh started in level 1 ESL class at the Blaine Learning Lab . Over time , he has progressed up to level 3 ESL and passed his U . S . Citizenship interview . His family recently relocated to Brooklyn Center and he plans to continue his English studies at the Brooklyn Center Lutheran Church of the Master site . He works full time in the Star Tribune mailroom . “ Whenever I have free time , I study ,” he says .
Metro North ABE ' s Adult Education Center- Columbia Heights / Fridley was included as a partner with Minneapolis ABE in a federal United States Citizenship and Immigration Services two year grant . Metro North staff teach the class and volunteers assist by acting as mock interviewers , giving our students a chance to practice their skills at the end of the course . Metro North ABE has offered three rounds of citizenship classes and will conduct two more sessions before fall 2018 .
Resources :
For more detailed information on the naturalization process and citizenship exam preparation materials , visit the U . S . Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ) website at www . uscis . gov / citizenship .
U . S . Citizenship and Immigration Service ., ( 2013 ). 10 Steps to Naturalization , Understanding the Process of Becoming a US Citizen retrieved from www . uscis . gov / us-citizenship / citizenship-through-naturalization / g uide-naturalization .
6 METRO NORTH ABE CONSORTIUM