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Recent Similar Articles

• > Republicans Propose New Tax Reforms
• > Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship by Birth in the United States
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Elections matter. Politicians decide what laws are enacted, laws that may have a profound effect on our way of life – from immigration reform to the creation of jobs to the development or elimination of social safety nets that preserve an individual’s quality of life. The vote is one of the most precious rights afforded through U.S. Citizenship. This is one of the main differences that differentiate a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident from a U.S. Citizen.

So it is important that you make your voice count. If you are currently a Green Card holder who is eligible to file to become a U.S. Citizen, start the process now. The process takes 6 to 10 months. This would still give you enough time to be eligible to vote in most states. Fill out Form N400, Application for Naturalization and get started.

So are you, as a current U.S. Legal Permanent Resident, eligible to file for U.S. Citizenship?

Are you at least 18 years of age and have been a permanent resident of the United States for at least 5 years or at least 3 years, if you are married to and continue to reside with a U.S. citizen spouse?

Are you currently serving honorably in the U.S. military, with at least 1 year of service? Then you can apply while serving. Or if you were honorably discharged, you have within six months of the day that you were left the armed forces to apply for U.S. Citizenship. Also remember, certain spouses of U.S. citizens, and those who served in the U.S. military during a past war or are serving currently in combat may be able to file for U.S. Citizenship sooner than the three years cited above.

If you answered yes to any of the above questions or the scenarios listed above apply to you, then you may be eligible to apply for U.S. Citizenship.

There is a 2012 Presidential election coming up which also includes the election of U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators. But too often, the majority of Americans stay home and a minority basically elects our politicians who in turn make and enact legislation that has an affect on all of us. You can see this currently in the make up of our House of Representatives where 80+ politicians, hold the progress of our economy, our future, hostage by their belief that government should have a minimal if non-existent role in our way of life. But whatever your beliefs, you can scream at the top of your voice about injustices, but without the right to vote, your voice will fall on deaf ears. George Jean Nathan, an American drama critic and editor, once said that “ Bad politicians are elected by good citizens who do not vote.” Therefore, if you do not vote, you basically get what you deserve and have no right to complain.

So, if you are a legal U.S. permanent resident and are eligible to vote, apply now for U.S. Citizenship and in November 2012, let your voice be heard on Election Day!