Customer Reviews

Becoming a U.S. Citizen: A Guide to the Law, Exam & Interview

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Before applying for citizenship, I bought three books from Amazon. I found this one by far the most comprehensive. The author, an immigration lawyer, covers every aspect of the procedure, including helpful sample letters, tips, exam preparation strategy, and when to consult a lawyer. A tip: get the latest edition, because the test has changed recently. My only criticism would be that someone with limited English might have trouble understanding some of it. Other guides focus more on the English and civics test, though this book provides all you need to know, presented in orderly fashion.

Good book with much useful and clear information. Good buy. BUT, if you go to an adult education center in your neighborhood and sign up for a citizenship class you can buy a similar book for $10, AND get personalized help filling out the forms AND the latest information on the whole process.

When I applied for Green Card I assumed it was going to be a piece of cake. I thought my case was clear cut. It turned out that I was wrong. I had a lot of problems because I was uninformed about the process and the details. This time around, when applying for citizenship, I decided to be better prepared. In my opinion you should not go through this process uninformed even if your case seems straight forward. The risks are simply too great. Getting this book from the Vine program certainly helped me.

This book contains all kinds of valuable information, on the process, the law, the forms, the finger printing, the Naturalization interview, the swearing-in ceremony, the English test, the US history and government exam (all questions), disability, denial, repeals, as well as discussions on potential problems and everything that could go wrong.

The book is well organized, well written, and practical. One thing I particularly liked about this book is that it does not sugar coat the USCIS. There are unprofessional and hostile USCIS agents, applications are lost or mishandled, mistakes happen, sometimes terrible mistakes, there can be excessive delays and USCIS are virtually impossible to contact or get information from. Knowing how to avoid getting into trouble and how to handle trouble when it happens is of essence, and this is an area in which this book excels. If I had read a book like this, but on Green Cards, I would avoided a year of stress for both me and my American wife.

I highly recommend this book to everyone applying for citizenship. You should read it before you apply (as I did). Maybe there is an issue you are not aware of that you need to work on before you do.

I've had a few NOLO guides on various legal subject matters, and so far I found most of their books to be succinctly written, helpful, and accurate in the information that they are providing. Becoming a US Citizen is no exception. The book walks reader through the entire US Citzenship application process - basic requirements, when to seek additional legal advice, the application process (along with reproduction of updated federal forms), and study questions for the actual exam. The book can be read in a partial fashion. For example, if all you need is to have an overview of the citizenship exam, there's a chapter for that (and you don't have to go back and read the earlier chapters you don't care about). All and all, this is a good resource for those who are in a rush to be drafted into the US wars.

I have a friend thinking about applying for citizenship, so this book seemed like a good way to be able to offer advice. I've learned a lot about possible pitfalls. Who knew that applying for citizenship could result in your green card being revoked if a discrepancy could be found in your green card application? If you are not eligible for a green card, you will be able to quickly figure it out from the first few chapters.

In keeping with the NOLO series, this title summarizes information in easy to read sidebars and the overall format of lists and checklists makes things very easy to read once and refer to later.

As a lawyer, I am not a big fan of legal self-help books.This book in an exception to my general skepticism.

Chock full of useful information like the time between application in interview in various locations this book can help the average permanent resident navigate the process on his or her own. It has an excellent discussion of when not to apply for citizenship, as a certain number of people will end up being deported as a result of their applications.

Most people do not need lawyers once they have obtained a green card and apply for citizenship. They do need help however, and this book can help navigate an uneventful road to the swearing-in ceremony.

Well, first of all this is not a direct guide from USCIS and can not be taken as the direct instruction from official organization. The best way to make it right is to go at uscis.gov and select Naturalization link. All current information about documents and current fees is there.
Second: there are no flash cards in this book to learn quickly 100 answers for the same amount of questions. USCIS.gov has this cards and it is easier than trying to memorize every word from this book concerning the test.
Third: I never could find a reference in this book to translations of documents (which are not in English) with person who will certify in writing that he(she) is competent in translation(but this, again, in the USCIS's "Guide to Naturalization").
And other remarks: Book says "...despite minor errors of spelling, grammar, capitalization, or punctuation - you'll pass". I can say only one thing, that I heard that person who spelled United States of America with not capitalized letter failed the exam.
The book says that I'd have to attach a cover letter with description of documents you send there is not such a thing in official Guide to Naturalization. I and my wife put our documents in to envelopes and marked each of them as "Documents of -Person Name- for Naturalization" - that's it. It was accepted without problems.
There is a "Sample good moral character letter" in the book. But once again there is not such a thing in the official instructions for Naturalization on uscis.gov.
When you go through the pages of this book sometime it feels like book put some fear on you like you did or going to do something wrong. For example book mentioned Adultery saying at the same time that this not an issue anymore.
Here is an info I digged out from Internet:
"Adultery - Formerly section 101(f)(2) of the Act. Adultery as a mandatory bar to establishing good moral character was repealed by the Act of December 29, 1981. A detailed historical discussion on adultery as it relates to good moral character is contained in Interpretations 316.1(g)(2). Per 8 CFR 316.10(3)(ii), an extramarital affair which tended to destroy an existing marriage shall preclude a finding of good moral character, unless the applicant establishes extenuating circumstances. If the lawful marriage ceased to be viable and intact before the commission of the adultery, such sexual misconduct without cohabitation does not support a finding of lack of good moral character."
The book contradict to itself. In one hand it says :"Generally relying solely on memorization of answers makes your task harder..." and on another hand it says "...the officer was looking for simple short answer...". So, as I said check official uscis web site. Besides many names of people in this book are outdated, means the Speaker of the House and others. Do not relay on this book, check all current info for yourself. By the way this book often refers to USCIS info.
So as an addition to your studies this book is Ok but NOT A GUIDE. You have to follow instructions posted at USCIS official web site. They are free and true. If you gonna follow this book you may end up with your document package with size of this book which may delay your case. USCIS officers are busy enough to follow their own instructions.

I became a permanent US resident quite a few years ago. I handled everything myself, without a lawyer, and I wish I had had as good a book as this to guide me through that process--I could have avoided a lot of stress.

The book goes through the citizenship process in chronological order, starting with the first considerations--what the benefits and downsides of citizenship are, and whether you are even eligible. It describes not only how to fill out the forms, but also what the interview process should be like, what you're expected to do when you arrive for your interview, and what to do if something unexpected happens.

The writing is clear throughout. That said, I thought it was funny that the book had hints on learning basic English, but I suppose there must be people who have a bilingual relative helping them with the process. Still, wouldn't you be better to get a book in the prospective citizen's native language?

The book includes the official list of citizenship test questions, an example of a fully filled-out application form, and a template for a cover letter. It also has a section on how to decide when you might need a lawyer. The book basically answered all my questions, so I have no hesitation in recommending it.

Although you can find this information via the USICS website, not surprisingly the government instructions and forms are very very difficult to understand. This book helpfully explains everything you need to know and has understandable directions. It cuts down on a lot of confusion and questions that would arise from depending solely on the U.S. government information. I would highly recommend this book to assist in getting your forms filled out and understanding the process you will need to go through.

Married to an Englishman the past 11 years I definitely know the joys to be had when dealing with both countries immigration services. Its a process that can be intimidating, confusing, and costly. And then there's all the many, many, many paperwork forms you can spend hours filling out. This book walks you through all that, giving you great advise and letting you know what you can practically expect and when to expect it.

This book is also a great prep and guide to the U.S. immigration test. As my husband worked his way through we realized I sure didn't know all the politics and government answers that you must to become a citizen and I've lived here almost all my life. This walks you through step by step, even telling you the costs you can expect and what forms are needed for your instance. It clears up what can be some very muddy waters and hopefully it will help get my hubby his long awaited citizenship because not being able to vote but paying the same taxes really annoys him.