Home Naturalization Citizenship Can the US Naturalize Illegal Immigrants?

Can the US Naturalize Illegal Immigrants?

Can the US Naturalize Illegal Immigrants?

Can the US Naturalize Illegal Immigrants?

In recent years, the issue of immigration has become a controversial topic in the United States. According to the Migration Policy Institute, as of 2018, there were approximately 10.5 million unauthorized immigrants living in the country. The question of whether or not these individuals can be naturalized has been a topic of debate for some time.

The Naturalization Process

Before delving into the specifics of naturalizing illegal immigrants, it is important to understand the naturalization process in general. To become a naturalized citizen of the United States, an individual must meet certain requirements, including:

– Being at least 18 years old
– Being a legal permanent resident (or green card holder) for at least five years (or three years if married to a US citizen)
– Having continuously resided in the US for at least five years (or three years if married to a US citizen)
– Being able to speak, read, and write basic English
– Passing a test on US civics
– Meeting certain character and loyalty requirements

If an individual meets these requirements, they can apply for naturalization through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The process typically takes several months to complete and involves several steps, including submitting an application, undergoing a biometrics appointment, attending an interview, and taking the civics test.

Can Illegal Immigrants Naturalize?

Now, let’s address the question at hand: can illegal immigrants naturalize? Technically, no. However, there are some exceptions.

Under current US immigration law, individuals who entered the country illegally (i.e. without valid documentation or overstayed a visa) are generally not eligible to apply for a green card (permanent residency) or citizenship. This is because the government views their entry as unlawful and a violation of immigration laws.

However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. In some cases, illegal immigrants may be eligible for a green card if they:

– Entered the US before the age of 16 and have lived in the country for at least five years (or since June 15, 2007)
– Are victims of certain crimes and are assisting law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime
– Are victims of abuse by a US citizen or permanent resident spouse or parent

Additionally, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was introduced in 2012, provides temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to certain individuals who were brought to the US as children and meet certain criteria. While DACA does not provide a pathway to citizenship, it could potentially lead to a green card if certain conditions are met.

The Biden Administration’s Stance on Immigration

When it comes to immigration policy, the Biden administration has vowed to take a more lenient approach than its predecessor. In fact, one of President Biden’s first acts in office was to propose a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would provide a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the US.

Under the proposed bill, eligible individuals would be able to apply for temporary legal status, which could be renewed after five years. After another three years, they would be able to apply for a green card and, eventually, citizenship. However, it is worth noting that the bill has not yet been passed into law and its fate remains uncertain.

It is also worth noting that the Biden administration has taken steps to undo some of the harsher immigration policies put in place by the Trump administration, such as rescinding the controversial “Muslim ban” and restoring the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Conclusion

While illegal immigrants technically cannot naturalize under current US immigration law, there are some exceptions to this rule. Additionally, there is currently a proposed immigration reform bill that would provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. As the immigration landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these policies develop.


Immigration and naturalization go hand in hand for many immigrants who wish to come to the United States legally. Immigrant naturalization can be a lengthy and difficult process depending on the circumstances of the particular individual. A foreign citizen or national can become a U.S. citizen through immigrant naturalization. As is the nature of citizenship, the immigrant must pledge allegiance to the United States. In return, the immigrant will be granted citizenship and will be eligible for nearly everything that citizens of the United States are guaranteed.

Legal immigrant naturalization is a process that has many requirements in itself. One of them is that the applicant must enter the United States legal.

Other individuals, conversely, claim that amnesty provides incentive for further illegal immigration. In lieu of proposed legislation that has enumerated amnesty provisions and routes toward immigrant naturalization, detractors suggest guest worker programs if certain criteria are met, or more radically, mass deportation.

Illegal immigrants have few options when considering the possibility of naturalization. Immigration and naturalization procedures are intended for those who enter the country legally and tries not to reward those that break the law. In certain cases, an illegal immigrant may be able to receive immigrant naturalization but if their true eligibility is verified, this may result in a
Strong proponents and opponents of recent comprehensive reform attempts have argued heatedly about their implications and the effects a new bill will have on the United States immigrant naturalization process. Regardless, most would agree something needs to be done to the immigration and naturalization process to either naturalize the current illegal immigrant population or impose widespread deportations.