¿Cómo convertirse en ciudadano estadounidense?
Santos Lloyd Law Team • April 6, 2023
La naturalización es el proceso legal que puede ser usado para convertirse en ciudadano de los Estados Unidos.
Para ser naturalizado, primero debe cumplir con los criterios específicos necesarios para solicitar la ciudadanía. Si cumple con los requisitos, debe completar una solicitud, asistir a una entrevista y aprobar un examen de inglés y de educación cívica. Al completar con éxito estos pasos, ¡está calificado para prestar juramento de lealtad y convertirse en ciudadano de los EE. UU.! No más visas, extensiones, renovaciones o preocupaciones de inmigración para usted.
Antes de solicitar la naturalización en los Estados Unidos, debe cumplir con los requisitos de elegibilidad específicos.
El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS) establece que los solicitantes de naturalización deben :
- Tener al menos 18 años cuando presente la solicitud: la naturalización es solo para adultos.
- Haber sido residente permanente legal durante los últimos tres años si está casado con un ciudadano de los EE. UU., o cinco años en otros casos. Entonces, el primer paso para convertirse en ciudadano de los EE. UU. es obtener una Tarjeta de residencia.
- Tener residencia continua y presencia física en los Estados Unidos: si sale de los Estados Unidos por más de seis meses, ha interrumpido su residencia continua.
- Ser capaz de leer, escribir y hablar inglés básico: debe tener al menos conocimientos básicos de inglés. Lo justo.
- Demostrar buen carácter moral: las personas con antecedentes penales no son las favoritas del Tío Sam. Además, el Tío Sam no da la bienvenida a las personas que mienten. Así que siempre sea sincero en todo lo relacionado con el gobierno de los EE. UU.
- Demostrar conocimiento y comprensión de la historia y el gobierno de los EE. UU.: tendrá que estudiar para el examen. El examen no es difícil, pero si no se prepara, le resultará complejo.
- Demostrar lealtad a los principios de la Constitución de los EE. UU. Es decir, quieres ser estadounidense, ¿verdad?
- Estar dispuesto a hacer el Juramento de Lealtad. ¿Luchará por los Estados Unidos si se lo piden?
¿Hay otros beneficios de pasar por el proceso de naturalización? Sí. puede votar, puede postularse para ciertos cargos en una elección de EE. UU. Contará con nuevas oportunidades de empleo, como trabajar para el gobierno federal. Tendrá mayor acceso a programas gubernamentales. Puede obtener un pasaporte americano. Y, por último, puede solicitar tarjetas de residencia para su familia.
Si tiene alguna pregunta al respecto, por favor póngase en contacto con nosotros.
Este blog no pretende ser una asesoría legal y nada aquí debe interpretarse como el establecimiento de una relación abogado-cliente. Programe una consulta con un abogado de inmigración antes de actuar basado en cualquier información que aquí lea.
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On January 14, 2026, the Trump administration announced a freeze on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries . The administration states that this “visa freeze” is intended to review security protocols, “reduce risks,” and control immigration flows. However, the immediate reality is that this change in policy has temporarily suspended visa processing and restricted travel for applicants from numerous countries across the globe. While the legal landscape surrounding these suspensions is highly fluid and subject to change, it is important to consider how this “visa freeze” might impact your current status or immigration plans. The scope of the restrictions varies drastically depending on your country of origin and specific visa category. Most notably, a nationality-based travel ban restricts visa issuance for 19 countries : Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Beyond this targeted ban, a broader freeze affects applicants from a designated list of up to 75 countries, leading to indefinite delays for many visa petitions. However, it is important to note that immigrant visa applications first need to be processed through USCIS, which has not paused processing applications from the 75 countries. Thus, it is important to contact an attorney to understand at what point in the process this visa freeze may affect your case. While Brazil is included in the list of 75 countries, at the time of this publication, the freeze does not include non-immigrant visas for Brazil . Non-immigrant visas are granted to foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States on a temporary basis for specific purposes, such as tourism, studying, or temporary work. This means that Brazilian applicants can still safely pursue non-immigrant employment options, such as O visas for individuals with extraordinary ability or P visas for internationally recognized athletes, without being subjected to the current travel bans or suspensions. This alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. There are many changes and uncertainties, so please consult with a qualified attorney at Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C. to understand how these evolving policies might affect your specific case
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In recent weeks, the U.S. government has moved to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for multiple countries, sparking a wave of last-minute litigation and creating significant uncertainty for beneficiaries. This shift is having a profound impact on those who rely on TPS for lawful presence and work authorization in the United States. Across the country, federal courts have intervened to pause or block scheduled TPS terminations for several countries, including Burma (Myanmar), Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, and Syria. In response to these court orders, USCIS has updated its webpages to indicate that TPS status and related Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) are extended for these populations. However, USCIS is intentionally not providing specific new end dates for EAD validity while the litigation remains in flux. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has prominently noted that it "vehemently disagrees" with these court orders and is actively working with the Department of Justice on next steps. This legal landscape remains highly unpredictable and varies drastically depending on the country of origin. For example, on February 9, 2026, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay allowing the government to proceed with the termination of TPS for Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal while the underlying legal challenges continue. Because of this ruling, the automatic extension of work authorization for these individuals has ended, and employers are now required to reverify the work authorization of affected employees, who must present alternative valid documentation to continue their employment. These rapid changes and the lack of clear end dates are causing complications beyond the workplace. Because driver's licenses often track the length of an individual's authorized stay, many DMVs are currently declining to issue or renew driver's licenses for impacted TPS populations. For employers, managing internal communications, avoiding onboarding errors, and navigating Form I-9 compliance has become increasingly complex. It is more important than ever to be well-prepared and proactive in monitoring these rapid changes. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., our immigration attorneys are ready to guide you through this evolving process and ensure you are informed, and supported. Please contact us if you have questions or need assistance.
