Author: NPM Author

For immigrants, becoming a US citizen is about much more than paperwork. It is about stability, opportunity, and finally having a full voice in the country you call home. While the naturalization process can feel intimidating at first, knowing the steps involved and getting expert assistance can make your experience more successful.

Obstáculos actuales para obtener la ciudadanía 

Because of current White House administration policies that often seek to deter and persecute immigrants rather than helping them obtain citizenship, the naturalization process is now more challenging than it has been in previous years. Here are some of the current barriers to citizenship for immigrants in the United States.

Un proceso largo, complejo y costoso

Para la mayoría de los inmigrantes, el camino hacia la ciudadanía implica múltiples pasos complejos, como establecer la residencia permanente legal, cumplir con los requisitos de elegibilidad y navegar por el proceso de solicitud, las entrevistas y las pruebas. Estos pueden ser largos, complicados y, a menudo, costosos.

Evaluaciones más estrictas del “buen carácter moral”

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented stricter policies for assessing “good moral character,” a key requirement for naturalization. This could lengthen processing times and give officers greater discretion in denying applications.

Requisitos más estrictos para el examen de ciudadanía

Recent changes to the civics test required for naturalization have increased the difficulty of the exam and expanded the number of questions applicants must answer, creating a higher bar to pass this core step in the citizenship process.

Políticas que afectan el estatus legal y el acceso a la ciudadanía

Los cambios generales en la política migratoria han creado obstáculos para obtener la residencia permanente legal, visas temporales y el acceso a la ciudadanía estadounidense, incluyendo una tramitación más lenta y un mayor escrutinio de los antecedentes de los solicitantes.

Cada uno de estos factores contribuye a que el camino sea más difícil e incierto para los inmigrantes que buscan obtener la ciudadanía estadounidense.

Lo que pueden hacer los inmigrantes

The US government provides clear guidance on the naturalization process, and many community organizations are available to help along the way, including trusted nonprofits such as Michigan United.

Cómo solicitar la ciudadanía estadounidense

Here’s the step-by-step process for applying to become a US citizen.

Paso uno: asegúrate de que cumples los requisitos

Before you apply for citizenship, you must confirm that you meet the basic eligibility requirements for naturalization. Most applicants must:

• Tener al menos 18 años.
  
• Ser residente permanente legal con una tarjeta verde.
  
• Haber vivido en los Estados Unidos como residente permanente durante al menos cinco años, o tres años si está casado con un ciudadano estadounidense.
  
• Tener residencia continua y presencia física en los Estados Unidos.
  
• Demostrar buena conducta moral.
  
• Ser capaz de leer, escribir y hablar inglés básico, con algunas excepciones.
  
• Tener conocimientos adecuados sobre la historia y el gobierno de los Estados Unidos.

Algunos solicitantes pueden tener derecho a exenciones o adaptaciones, como las personas mayores o las personas con determinadas discapacidades.

Paso dos: Complete el formulario N-400.

The formal application for citizenship is Form N-400, or the Application for Naturalization. Applicants can file online or submit a paper application by mail.

El formulario solicita información detallada sobre su historial de residencia, empleo, familia y viajes fuera de los Estados Unidos. El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS) hace hincapié en la precisión y la honestidad, ya que las inconsistencias pueden retrasar el procesamiento o dar lugar a preguntas adicionales más adelante. Antes de enviar su formulario, es útil reunir documentos de respaldo, como copias de su tarjeta de residencia, registros fiscales y cualquier documento relevante de matrimonio o divorcio.

Paso tres: Paga la cuota de solicitud o solicita una exención.

La tarifa estándar para solicitar la naturalización es de varios cientos de dólares, aunque las cantidades exactas pueden variar. Por ejemplo, en agosto de 2025 era de $760.

If paying the full fee poses a hardship, some applicants may qualify for a fee reduction or waiver based on income or participation in public assistance programs. 

Paso cuatro: Acuda a su cita para la toma de datos biométricos

After the USCIS receives your application, you will be scheduled for a biometrics appointment. At this appointment, the USCIS collects fingerprints, photographs, and a signature for background and security checks. This step is routine and usually brief, but it is required before moving forward in the process.  Btw, the photo taken here will be used on your naturalization certificate.

Paso cinco: Prepárate para la entrevista y las pruebas

The naturalization interview is one of the most important steps, so it is important to prepare thoroughly. During the interview, a USCIS officer will review your application and ask questions to confirm your eligibility. You will also take two tests as part of your naturalization exam:

• Una prueba de inglés que abarca expresión oral (no se trata de una prueba específica, sino que se evalúa a lo largo de la entrevista), lectura (3 oportunidades para leer una frase en voz alta) y expresión escrita (3 oportunidades para escribir una frase dictada).
  
• Una prueba de educación cívica sobre la historia y el gobierno de los Estados Unidos (el solicitante debe responder correctamente a 12 de las 20 preguntas; la prueba finaliza cuando se responde correctamente a la duodécima pregunta).

If you do not pass one portion of the test the first time, the USCIS allows a second attempt, which reduces pressure for many applicants. Note: the officer conducting the interview does not make the final decision, only a recommendation.  Some officers will tell you what their recommendation is, others will say, “I cannot make a decision in your case today”.

People who are 50 years old+ AND who have been a lawful permanent resident for 20+ years at the time of filing are exempt from the English and literacy requirements (and do NOT take an equivalent in their own language). The same applies to people who are 55 years old and have been residents for 15 years. These people may also take an interpreter to the interview (family members are not recommended as they may be rejected by the USCIS officer on the basis of ethical conflict).

Also, people who have a chronic physical, mental or developmental disability can have their doctor or psychologist complete form N-648 explaining how they are incapable of learning English or the civics test.  This is very difficult to obtain, and does not apply to an applicant merely because they have high blood pressure or a broken leg.

Paso seis: Recibir la decisión y prestar juramento

After the interview, the USCIS will issue a decision. If approved, the final step is attending a naturalization ceremony and taking the Oath of Allegiance, at which point immigrants officially become US citizens. Once the oath is complete, new citizens receive a Certificate of Naturalization and gain full rights, including voting and eligibility for certain federal jobs.

Cómo obtener ayuda 

While it is possible to apply for citizenship on your own, many immigrants choose to work with nonprofits that offer legal services, citizenship classes, and application support. These organizations help applicants understand requirements, avoid common mistakes, and feel confident walking into interviews and tests.

Michigan United es un claro ejemplo de este apoyo comunitario. A través de sus servicios legales y clases de ciudadanía, la organización ayuda a los inmigrantes a preparar solicitudes, estudiar para los exámenes de educación cívica y navegar por el proceso de naturalización con claridad y dignidad. Para los inmigrantes que desean orientación confiable y apoyo culturalmente sensible, los programas de ciudadanía sin fines de lucro pueden convertir un proceso complejo en un viaje manejable y empoderador hacia la plena participación en la vida cívica estadounidense.

Obtenga ayuda para convertirse en ciudadano estadounidense con Michigan United

Michigan United is a broad, statewide coalition working to reform our broken health care and immigration systems, protect our environment, end mass incarceration, and make essential services accessible to all. 

Our citizenship classes are at the heart of our mission. Our team is dedicated to helping immigrants obtain citizenship, affording them essential rights and protections enjoyed by US citizens.

Through our citizenship classes and English classes, we equip adult immigrants with the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the naturalization exam. By doing so, we aim to help them secure full US citizenship so they can access valuable rights and protections such as voting, federal job opportunities, retirement security, education options, and active participation in civic life.

Join us in our quest to create a more just and inclusive society for all. You can do this in whichever way works best for you. You can also join us as a Michigan United member or donate today!

The phrase “environmental justice” might sound like a strange, abstract concept, but for millions of people, it shows up in very real ways each day. It shapes the quality of the air we breathe, the water that comes out of our taps, and the safety of the neighborhoods we call home. Understanding environmental justice helps explain why some communities face greater environmental risks than others and why addressing those gaps is essential for public health, fairness, and long-term resilience.

What Is Environmental Justice?

Environmental justice refers to the principle that all people deserve equal protection from environmental harms as well as equal access to healthy, safe places to live, work, and play. It focuses on communities that have historically faced higher exposure to pollution and environmental hazards while also having less political and economic power to prevent or address those risks.

Environmental justice is not only about environmental conditions themselves but also about who benefits from environmental protection and who bears the burden of environmental damage. Decisions about where highways are built, where industrial facilities operate, and how waste is managed have long-lasting consequences for nearby residents, particularly when those residents have limited influence over policy decisions.

Understanding the Environmental Justice Movement and Why It Matters

The environmental justice movement emerged in response to these inequities. The movement gained national attention in the 1980s when communities of color began organizing against the disproportionate siting of toxic waste facilities in their neighborhoods. Since then, the movement has expanded to include environmental justice issues such as climate change, access to clean water, air quality, and safe housing.

Research from the University of Michigan emphasizes that environmental injustice often overlaps with economic and racial inequality. Communities facing environmental hazards are more likely to experience higher rates of asthma, heart disease, and other chronic health conditions as well as economic barriers that make relocation or remediation difficult.

Environmental justice is important because it recognizes that environmental protection concerns are also public health and civil rights concerns. When the most vulnerable communities are overburdened by pollution, the impacts can affect generations through long-term health consequences, reduced educational outcomes, and limited economic opportunity. Addressing environmental justice helps ensure that environmental benefits and protections are shared equitably across society.

Environmental Justice Challenges in Michigan

The state of Michigan offers a clear example of how environmental injustice can develop over time and why it remains a pressing concern. The state’s industrial history has left many communities dealing with persistent environmental hazards that disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color.

Toxic Industrial Pollution

Michigan has a long history of industrial activity, particularly in manufacturing and automotive production. Many socially and economically disadvantaged communities have been exposed to hazardous substances from factories, landfills, and legacy pollution sites. These exposures increase risks for respiratory illness, cancer, and other serious health problems.

Water Contamination and Infrastructure Failures

The notorious Flint water crisis remains one of the most widely recognized examples of environmental racism in the United States. Decisions made without community input led to lead-contaminated drinking water, exposing residents to severe health risks and long-term consequences that persist today. While the Flint crisis is often discussed as a single event, similar infrastructure challenges continue to affect other Michigan communities.

Waste and Hazardous Material Disposal

Michigan has been described as a dumping ground for waste from other states and even other countries. The Sierra Club of Michigan reports that communities are pushing back against proposals that would increase hazardous waste disposal and radioactive material storage, often in areas already burdened by pollution. These sites are frequently located near marginalized communities with limited political leverage.

Climate Change Impacts on Vulnerable Communities

Some Michigan cities have been labeled climate havens due to their access to fresh water and relatively mild weather. However, recent reporting highlights that these communities are still vulnerable to flooding, extreme heat, and infrastructure strain. Climate-related risks tend to hit lower-income neighborhoods harder due to older housing, aging power infrastructure, political corruption among utilities, limited green space, and fewer resources for adaptation.

Together, these issues illustrate how environmental harms are rarely isolated problems. They intersect with housing, transportation, public health, and economic inequality, reinforcing long-standing disparities across Michigan.

Supporting Environmental Justice Through Community Action

Improving environmental justice requires collective action at the local, state, and national levels. For Michiganders and for all Americans, getting involved with social justice organizations is one of the most effective ways to create meaningful change.

Michigan United works with communities across the state to address environmental injustice alongside broader issues such as housing, workers’ rights, and civic engagement. Through its initiatives, Michigan United supports grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and community education. These work to reduce pollution, protect public health, and ensure that impacted residents have a voice in decision-making.

By engaging with nonprofits that center community leadership and systemic change, individuals can help push for cleaner air and water, stronger environmental protections, and a more equitable future. 

Achieve Environmental Justice for All With Michigan United

Michigan United is a broad, statewide coalition working to reform our broken health care and immigration systems, protect our environment, end mass incarceration, and make essential services accessible to all. To build that kind of power, we need to organize 3.5% of the state’s population, starting with you.

We’re at a critical moment in our nation’s history as we prepare to confront the troubling realities of the current White House administration. Working families are under attack — from Lansing to D.C. — and we’re fighting back. If you’re wondering what you can do, Michigan United is here for you. We have campaigns in place to protect Michiganders from all forms of injustice, which means you can make a difference in all the areas that matter to you, right here, all in one place.

As a member of Proyecto 3.5, you’ll gain the listening, communication, and planning skills to become an effective advocate for the people in your neighborhood. This is your chance to become the leader you’ve always wanted to see. Join us in our quest to create a more just and inclusive society for all.

You can do this in whichever way works best for you. You can also join us as a Michigan United member or donate today!