"This book for elementary readers highlights the sequence of events from idea to implementation. Full-color photographs and a timeline support each step in the process, from first arrival in the U.S. through the application, testing and the final oath. A glossary, further resources, and an index are included"--

Between 2000 and 2011, eight million immigrants became American citizens. In naturalization ceremonies large and small these new Americans pledged an oath of allegiance to the United States, gaining the right to vote, serve on juries, and hold political office; access to certain jobs; and the legal rights of full citizens. In The Road to Citizenship, Sofya Aptekar analyzes what the process of becoming a citizen means for these newly minted Americans and what it means for the United States as a whole. Examining the evolution of the discursive role of immigrants in American society from potential traitors to morally superior “supercitizens,” Aptekar’s in-depth research uncovers considerable contradictions with the way naturalization works today. Census data reveal that citizenship is distributed in ways that increasingly exacerbate existing class and racial inequalities, at the same time that immigrants’ own understandings of naturalization defy accepted stories we tell about assimilation, citizenship, and becoming American. Aptekar contends that debates about immigration must be broadened beyond the current focus on borders and documentation to include larger questions about the definition of citizenship. Aptekar’s work brings into sharp relief key questions about the overall system: does the current naturalization process accurately reflect our priorities as a nation and reflect the values we wish to instill in new residents and citizens? Should barriers to full membership in the American polity be lowered? What are the implications of keeping the process the same or changing it? Using archival research, interviews, analysis of census and survey data, and participant observation of citizenship ceremonies, The Road to Citizenship demonstrates the ways in which naturalization itself reflects the larger operations of social cohesion and democracy in America.

Many Americans are citizens because they were born here. But not everyone who lives here is a citizen. Ease into the process of applying for citizenship with help from this informative volume. Accompanying photos and captions familiarize readers with the citizenship test, the character check, and many other facets of the path to citizenship.

States have historically led in rights expansion for marginalized populations and remain leaders today on the rights of undocumented immigrants.

Every year, countless Mexicans cross the border and land on US soil, either in search of a better life for themselves and their families, or to reunite with loved ones already here. The majority of these people spend their lives in the shadows in fear of being deported. However, even those who seek the more conventional "path to citizenship" route when entering the US also find themselves without any guarantee. A little known fact, however, is that the majority of Mexicans residing in the US are indeed eligible to apply for American citizenship. This book will cover everything you need to know in order to apply for US citizenship as a Mexican, from the types of visas you may be eligible for, to how to obtain a green card. No matter whether you're currently inside or outside the US, this book has got you covered. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to live the American dream!

Students in grades 4 through 6 can learn about the history of immigration in the U.S. and the path to citizenship. Recent changes in immigration law and current congressional discussions on border security, legal immigration, and the path to becoming a naturalized citizen make this series particularly timely.