INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Xiao Wang is CEO at Boundless, a technology startup that has helped thousands of immigrant families apply for marriage green cards and
United States citizenship while providing affordable access to independent immigration attorneys. Anjana PrasadContributor
Anjana Prasad
is senior advisor of immigration law at Boundless, a technology startup that has helped thousands of immigrant families apply for marriage
trillion and employ nearly two million workers
Naturalizing has only gotten harder and more expensive in recent years
And because of those barriers, even immigrants who manage to secure United States permanent residence often stop short of officially
becoming United States citizens
After all, United States citizenship brings a host of tangible and intangible perks.Taking the oath of citizenship, for one, is a profound
nation.Of course, naturalization offers practical benefits, too
mean you will be tomorrow.Applying sooner will make the process quicker and cheaper, too
Already, the government plans to further complicate naturalization steps, at an estimated cost to applicants of nearly $205 million a
File your papers today, and save yourself headaches or heartbreak down the line.Have your sayFor many new citizens, this is the big one: As
Add all the other steps, and you could be looking at a total wait time of up to 1.6 years, and the line is only growing longer.Also worth
bearing in mind: Citizenship is a requirement for federal office and most state and local political positions
Americans already represent their communities in Congress
buying a home, it helps to have the security that citizenship affords
Spouses and immediate relatives of United States citizens get preferential treatment when it comes to green card applications, which means
marriage green card application for your spouse, naturalizing upgrades you to the fast-track process for spouses of United States
United States, if you have legal problems, or if the rules change
This applies mostly to cases where applicants committed identity fraud or were subject to deportation orders that they did not disclose to
immigration officers during the application process
States citizen.Get a passport, and see the worldIn these turbulent times, a United States passport is worth its weight in gold
look forward to visa-free travel to more than 180 countries
And remember: The United States allows dual citizenship, so depending on your nation of origin, you might not have to give up your existing
katflareGetting citizenship is a smart financial decision
future.Research shows that naturalized immigrants earn an average of $3,200 more each year than eligible non-citizens and also increase
their homeownership rate by 6.3 percent
$52 billion a year.All those extra earnings translate into billions of dollars in extra local, state, and federal tax revenues, too
That makes naturalization a great way not just to make more money, but also to support your new community and make America a stronger and
of your life here, working hard, and playing by the rules
Applying for citizenship is a way to seal the deal, both by underscoring your commitment to the American project and receiving a definitive
American dream, bear in mind that there are real and concrete benefits to naturalization
