Lengthy naturalization process a small price to pay for some Saratoga County residents

Jul 04, 2010

By: Paul Post

David Hernandez, the head chef at Circus Cafe in Saratoga Springs, proudly became an American citizen for the sake of himself and his three children. (ERICA MILLER/The Saratogian)

SARATOGA SPRINGS — People rock to the Bruce Springsteen song, “Born in the USA,” while taking the privilege of citizenship for granted.

Not David Hernandez, the head chef at Circus Café on Broadway.

Hernandez is a Mexico City native and one of the millions who have gone through the lengthy and somewhat challenging naturalization process to become a U.S. citizen.

He did it not just for his own benefit, but so that his three children could have a better life, too.

“The difference is you have more opportunities,” said Hernandez, who lives in Schuylerville. “I’ve got a good job and I can raise my kids here, where there’s no violence.”

One of the requirements of citizenship is learning how to speak, read and write English, which has helped Hernandez immeasurably. He’s also extremely proud of passing the American history and civics test.

Applicants must study 100 potential questions. The test includes a multiple choice test with 10 of those questions, of which at least six must be answered correctly.

Examples:

How many people are in the House of Representatives?

How many years are senators elected for?

Which is one of the two longest rivers in the United States?

“I bet you can ask some American people who just got out of school and they don’t know this,” Hernandez said, smiling.

In addition to language and civics proficiency, basic requirements for becoming a naturalized citizen are:

• 18 years of age.

• Lawful permanent resident for at least five years. This starts the day an immigrant with legal documentation first arrives in the U.S.

• Half those five years must be spent on U.S. soil.

• Good moral character, determined through interviews and background checks.

“I am an extremely proud American,” said Constance Sebast, a teacher from Fort Johnson, near Amsterdam. Originally from Canada, she became a U.S. citizen in 2008 during the annual July 4 citizenship ceremony at Saratoga National Historical Park. Her adopted Russian-born son, Gorsha, is also a naturalized citizen.

“Sometimes I think I’m more patriotic than people who were born here,” Sebast said. “I have voted in every election since I became a citizen.”

All prospective citizens must first complete a mandatory application (Form N400) that comes with a $675 filing fee. Then an interview is set up with Citizenship and Immigration Services officials.

Depending on location, the testing process could take from a few to many months. For example, the New York City office is much busier than the closest field office in Latham, so applicants have to wait longer in the city.

The United States welcomed more than 5.6 million new citizens in each of the past two decades (19912000, 200109) and more than 744,000 people in fiscal 2009 alone. Some permanent residents serve in the U.S. military before becoming official citizens. Since September 2001, Citizenship and Immigration Services has assisted more than 55,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines in becoming naturalized citizens.

Sebast said she’s glad her naturalization ceremonies took place on Independence Day.

“Every July 4 I do remember,” she said.

For information about becoming a naturalized citizen see the website: www.uscis.com.

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