Biden's Strategy to Make More Immigrants US Citizens

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(CNN Spanish) -

The government of President Joe Biden already has a strategy for nearly nine million legal residents in the United States to change their immigration status and become citizens of the country, a goal that is a priority in his administration.

Biden has highlighted the contribution of immigrants to the country in a difficult time, of recovery, after the pandemic.

"You all show how immigration has always been essential to America, constantly renewing itself; we came out of this pandemic and built an economy. We are going to rebuild it better. We are going to do that. We need to fix our immigration system and take full advantage of the talent and the dynamism across our country, "Biden said at a naturalization ceremony earlier this month at the White House.

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CNN had access to the new strategy and some of the actions of the proposal, which include, for example, the realization of naturalization ceremonies in national parks with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of being citizens and joining with the Postal Service to Post informational posters about what it takes to become a United States citizen.

It also provides for collaboration with organizations linked to veterans to educate about citizenship, among other efforts.

They change the citizenship test: go back to the 2008 model 0:56

"Becoming a citizen of the United States is a great privilege. This strategy will ensure that aspiring citizens can seek naturalization through a clear and coordinated process," said Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security.

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From June 30 to July 7, the Biden administration naturalized more than 9,400 people across the country.

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According to government officials, other leaders promoted naturalization, but this new Biden strategy seeks to reach more people and intensify the message.

How to become a US Citizen?

According to the Citizenship and Immigration Service, there are several steps to obtaining citizenship:

• The applicant must carry as a legal resident, or with the so-called "green card", for at least five years, or three years if the process is through a citizen spouse.

• Then, you must file the N-400 form and pay the costs of the process.

• Obtain fingerprints for a criminal background check.

• Attend an interview with an immigration official and take a naturalization test, which will identify knowledge of English and civics.

• Once you have passed the exam, you are summoned to the swearing-in ceremony.

• After this you can apply for a US passport.

With this new initiative, the Biden administration seeks to differentiate itself from the management of former President Donald Trump, who tried to limit legal immigration and did everything possible to make the process of obtaining citizenship more difficult.