Citizenship & Naturalization | San Diego Immigration Lawyer Abeba Habtemariam Immigration Attorney

Citizenship & Naturalization

There are many ways for a person born outside the U.S. to receive U.S. citizenship. The process for applying to become a citizen is called naturalization. For example, once you have a green card, you can apply for naturalization to become a US Citizen.

Attorney Abeba Habtemariam worked as a USCIS Citizenship & Immigration Officer, where she reviewed and conducted interviews for thousands of citizenship applications.

Eligibility Requirements

5 years of lawful permanent residence in the United States, or if married to a U.S. citizen for a minimum of the 3 years, have 3 years of residence
Physically in the U.S for over 50% of the required residency period
Be a person of good moral character
Take an oath of loyalty to the United States
Pass an English test by speaking, reading and writing simple words and phrases in the English language (certain exceptions to this rule apply)
Pass a US history and government test

Naturalization Process

If you meet the criteria for eligibility, the general naturalization process includes the following steps:

Submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
Go to the biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment, if applicable
Attend the interview
Receive a decision from USCIS
If approved, take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States (renouncing any allegiance to any other foreign governments and nations)

Interested in Interview Prep or Attorney Representation at your interview by a Former USCIS Officer? Schedule a Consultation to learn more.

US Citizenship Test Qs

The best way to prepare for the US Citizenship Test is to practice answering common interview questions with a friend or family member. See common questions and answers below.

When I served as a USCIS Citizenship & Immigration Officer, I administered the citizenship test to more than 18 applicants each day. Most had no trouble passing the english and history test. Those who met the criteria for certain exemptions, qualified for special accommodation during their test (i.e. test administered in their native language if over a certain age). Questions asked during the interview vary and can cover the U.S. rule of law, term for U.S. Senators etc. Practicing for the test is the best way to prepare and ensure a favorable outcome.

Interested in Interview Prep with a Former USCIS Officer? Schedule a Consultation to learn more.

Common U.S. Citizenship Test Questions

1.Q: What are the colors of our flag?
A: Red, White, and Blue;
2.Q: How many stars are there in our flag?
A: Fifty (50);
3.Q: What color are the stars on our flag?
A: White;
4.Q: What do the stars on the flag signify?
A: There is one for each state in the United States;
5.Q: How many stripes are there on the flag?
A: Thirteen (13);
6.Q: What color are the stripes on the flag?
A: Red and White;
7.Q: What do the stripes on the flag signify?
A: They represent the original 13 states;
8.Q: How many states are there in the U.S.?
A: Fifty (50);
9.Q: What is the 4th of July?
A: Independence Day;
10.Q: What is the date of Independence Day?
A: July 4th;
11.Q: From what country did the U.S. win independence?
A: Great Britain;
12.Q: What country did we fight during the revolutionary War?
A: Great Britain;
13.Q: Who was the first President of the United States?
A: George Washington;
14.Q: Who is the President of the United States today?
A: Joe Biden;
15.Q: Who is the Vice President of the United States today?
A: Kamala Harris;
16.Q: Who elects the president of the United States?
A: The electoral college;
17.Q: Who becomes the president of the U.S. if the president should die?
A: The vice president;
18.Q: For how long do we elect the President?
A: Four years;
19.Q: What is the Constitution?
A: The supreme law of the land;
20.Q: Can the Constitution be changed?
A: Yes, by amendment;
21.Q: What do we call a change to the Constitution?
A: Amendment;
22.Q: How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution?
A: Twenty seven (27);
23.Q: How many branches are there in the U.S. government?
A: Three (3);
24.Q: What are the three branches of the U.S. government?
A: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial;
25.Q: What is the legislative branch of our government?
A: Congress;
26.Q: Who makes the laws in the United States?
A: Congress;
27.Q: What are the two houses of Congress?
A: The Senate and the House of Representatives;
28.Q: What are the duties of Congress?
A: To make laws;
29.Q: Who elects Congress?
A: The people;
30.Q: How many Senators are there in the U.S. Congress?
A: One hundred (100);
31.Q: Name the two U.S. Senators from your state.
A: (It’s time for a little research on your part!)
32.Q: For how long do we elect each Senator?
A: Each term is 6 years;
33.Q: How many voting Representatives are there in the House of Representatives?
A: Four hundred and thirty five (435);
34.Q: For how long do we elect the Representatives?
A: Two years;
35.Q: What is the executive branch of the U.S. government?
A: The president, cabinet, and the departments under the cabinet members;
36.Q: What is the judicial branch of the U.S. government?
A: The Federal Courts;
37.Q: What are the duties of the Supreme Court;
A: To interpret laws;
38.Q: What is the supreme law of the United States?
A: The Constitution;
39.Q: What is the Bill of Rights?
A: The first 10 amendments of the Constitution;
40.Q: What is the capital of your state?
A: (It depends on which state you live in.)
41.Q: Who is the current Governor of your state?
A: (Ditto)
42.Q: If both the President and the Vice President die, who becomes president?
A: The Speaker of the House of Representatives;
43.Q: Who is the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
A: John Roberts;
44.Q: Name the thirteen original states.
A: Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Maryland;
45.Q: Who said “give me liberty or give me death”?
A: Patrick Henry;
46.Q: Which countries were our enemies during WWII?
A: Germany, Italy, and Japan;
47.Q: What were the 49th and 50th states admitted to the U.S.?
A: Hawaii and Alaska;
48.Q: How many terms can a president serve?
A: Two;
49.Q: Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.?
A: A famous civil rights leader;
50.Q: Who is the head of your local government?
A: (It depends on where you live.)
51.Q: According to the Constitution, a person must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible to become president. Name one of these requirements.
A: Must be a native born citizen of the United States. Must be at least 35 years old by the time he/she will serve. Must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years.
52.Q: Why are there 100 Senators in the Senate?
A: There are two from each state;
53.Q: Who nominates the Supreme Court justices?
A: They are nominated by the President;
54.Q: How many Supreme Court Justices are there?
A: Nine (9);
55.Q: Why did the Pilgrims come to America?
A: For religious freedom;
56.Q: What is the head executive of a state government called?
A: Governor;
57.Q: What is the head executive of a city government called?
A: Mayor;
58.Q: What holiday was started by the American Colonists?
A: Thanksgiving;
59.Q: Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?
A: Thomas Jefferson;
60.Q: When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
A: July 4, 1776;
61.Q: What is the basic belief of the Declaration of Independence?
A: That all men are created equal;
62.Q: What is the national anthem of the United States?
A: The Star-Spangled Banner;
63.Q: Who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner?
A. Francis Scott Key;
64.Q: Where does the freedom of speech come from?
A: The Bill of Rights;
65.Q: What is the minimum voting age in the United States?
A: Eighteen (18);
66.Q: Who signs bills into law?
A: The President;
67.Q: What is the highest court in the United States?
A: The Supreme Court;
68.Q: Who was the president during the Civil War?
A: Abraham Lincoln;
69.Q: What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
A: It freed the slaves;
70.Q: What special group advises the president?
A: The cabinet;
71.Q: Which president is called the “Father of our Country”?
A: George Washington;
72.Q: What USCIS form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen?
A: Form N-400;
73.Q: Who helped the Pilgrims in America?
A: Native American Indians;
74.Q: The first Pilgrims sailed to America in what ship?
A: The Mayflower;
75.Q: What were the 13 original states of the United States called?
A: The colonies;
76.Q: Name three rights or freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
A: Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion;
77.Q: Who has the power to declare war?
A: The Congress;
78.Q: Name an amendment which guarantees or addresses voting rights.
A: The 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments;
79.Q: Which president freed the slaves?
A: Abraham Lincoln;
80.Q: In what year was the Constitution written?
A: 1787;
81.Q: What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution?
A: The Bill of Rights;
82.Q: Name one purpose of the United Nations.
A: To try to resolve world problems;
83.Q: Where does Congress meet?
A: In the Capitol in Washington, D.C.;
84.Q: Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?
A: Everyone living in the U.S. (Citizens and non-citizens);
85.Q: What is the introduction to the Constitution called?
A: The Preamble;
86.Q: Name one benefit of being a citizen of the United States.
A: Vote; Serve on a jury; Obtain federal government jobs; travel with a U.S. passport; petition for close relatives to come to the U.S. to live;
87.Q: What is the most important right granted to U.S. citizens?
A: The right to vote;
88.Q: What is the United States Capitol?
A: The place where Congress meets;
89.Q: What is the White House?
A: The President’s official home;
90.Q: Where is the White House located?
A: Washington, D.C.;
91.Q: What is the name of the president’s official home?
A: The White House;
92.Q: Name one right guaranteed by the first amendment.
A: Freedom of speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly, and requesting change of the government;
93.Q: Who is the commander in chief of the United States?
A: The President;
94.Q: Who was the first commander in chief of the U.S. Military?
A: George Washington;
95.Q: In what month do we vote for the president?
A: November;
96.Q: In what month is the new president inaugurated?
A: January;
97.Q: How many times may a congressman be re-elected?
A: There are no term limits;
98.Q: How many times may a senator be re-elected?
A: There are no term limits;
99.Q: What are the two major political parties in the United States?
A: Republican and Democrat;
100.Q: How many states are there in the United States?
A: Fifty (50).