Illegal alien wants to become the US citizen

How can an illegal alien become a US citizen?

United States citizenship can be acquired in only 3 ways:

1. Be born within the United States and it's territories; OR be born outside the United States, to parents who are both United States citizens.

2. Be a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), apply for, and be granted, naturalization. Such a person is called a naturalized United Stats citizen.

3. Be granted citizenship through an act of Congress. A private bill, introduced by Congress and signed by the President, may make a person a United States citizen. An illegal alien must have a green card for 7 years to become a citizen.

[sandra]

The application procedure for permanent residency or citizenship for illegal immigrants is different than that of someone who has been allowed to enter the U.S. using the proper procedures for obtaining a visa. Information concerning the issue of what may or may not be done pertaining to the illegal status of a foreign national can be found on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website, USCIS Home Page

They can't. That said, if the alien has a way of getting a green card now, like a resident relative, there may be ways to keep him here while the paperwork goes thru. If they don't have any means of getting a green card despite their being illegal, then they cannot become citizens or residents, period. Maybe through an amnesty.

It MAY be possible, though attempting poses considerable risk of being deported. The only possible way that I can see that an illegal alien could attain US citizenship would be to join the military. Bear in mind, any non-citizen joining the military is extremely limited as to what jobs they can qualify for (plan on marching). I know that at the completion of a 4-year active duty tour, a foreign national who has joined the US military is granted a green card, and has only to pass the citizenship exam in order to get their citizenship.

Actually right now I don't think it's possible for illegal aliens to join the military. There were a few cases of illegal immigrants joining the military with fake papers and being arrested by MP.

Don't say they can't, any illegal who gets a a green card after some time can become a citizen. And if you are legally married to an AMERICAN citizen after 3 years you can apply for citizenship. THIS ONLY WORKS IF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ENTERED THE COUNTRY LEGALLY.

Get married to a US citizen. This is the fastest way. THIS ONLY WORKS IF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ENTERED THE COUNTRY LEGALLY.

Be sponsored by a company or business owner for whom they work, get a green card, then apply for the US citizenship exam a few years later and, if they pass, citizenship is granted.

Originally Posted by information

The only possible way that I can see that an illegal alien could attain US citizenship would be to join the military. Bear in mind, any non-citizen joining the military is extremely limited as to what jobs they can qualify for (plan on marching). I know that at the completion of a 4-year active duty tour, a foreign national who has joined the US military is granted a green card, and has only to pass the citizenship exam in order to get their citizenship.
.

Only GC holders and citizens can join military!!

[Precious]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How can an illegal alien become a US citizen?

Marry a Naturalized citizen.

[annjd]

Marriage does not cure an illegal entry--marriage only cures the illegal status after a first legal entry--overstays and the like.

Very true. Once someone becomes 'out of status' (i.e. overstayed any type of visa) for any significant length of time, you fall under the 2-10 year ban rule, even if voluntarily deported. Marriage, first off...does not grant citizenship, it grants conditional citizenship. However, marriage is very likely the 'only' avenue left for someone who is out of status.

But even this is not a lock. If the illegal alien has ever signed 'any' federal (or state?) document, which allowed them to enjoy the benefits of american citenship (while out of status), they have committed a felony. The most common is the I9 form used for employment...where someone checks a box to state their status (green card, naturalized, or national, etc). FYI...these forms are destroyed after three years due to federal laws regarding document retention...but not all documents that might carry this snag have the same retention guidelines (or any retention guidelines at all).

I did have a lawyer tell us though that, if we got married, we should wait two years after the marriage to request the green card for the alien. It had something to do with the verification process conducted by HS/INS to validate the 'love' behind the marriage, and the fact that you must be married two years to get the green card anyway. Why? Well, essentially, HS/INS do not follow the standard US laws, and have their own judiciary system. Consequently, if you apply right after the marriage, they'll begin a surveillance process. It lasts for up to the two year waiting period. However, if you wait until the two years has passed, you can go in and (in general) can get your card within an hour 'over the counter' as it were.

I AM NOT A LAWYER...but this was what our lawyer advised us. Hope it was helpful.