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.
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Whenever I have free time, I study. I’ m very happy now.
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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