Becoming a citizen of the United States is a decision that immigrants put a lot of time, energy and thought into. There is no doubt that applying for citizenship is a monumental step. However, before starting the process, applicants in Louisiana must meet several requirements.
Immigrants must mark off a long list of requirements before they can even apply to become a citizen. Most of these are concrete requirements that can easily be verified, such as holding a valid green card, being at least 18 years of age and having lived in America for five years or longer. Immigrants must also have been physically present in the United States for half of those five years and cannot have been outside of the country for more than one year.
Applicants must also have what is called good moral character, which means that they have demonstrated they meet the expectations set for law-abiding members of society. Although having a criminal background might not prevent one from becoming a citizen, the nature of the charges can make doing so difficult. Those who hope to apply should be aware of how their current actions could affect their future prospects.
Immigrants in Louisiana who meet these and more requirements can apply for citizenship. Although the application process is quick, waiting for a reply can be quite lengthy. Many find that preparing for the interview during this waiting period is a good idea, as applicants are expected to be familiar with U.S. history and its government.