ARE you seeking to become a United States citizen but are not knowledgeable of the procedure and requirements for naturalization? If so, you can find a shortcut to becoming a citizen by memorizing and understanding the questions and answers (listed below) most often or more likely to be asked at your naturalization interview and examination. There is one initial requirement: You must be a legal resident of the US (green card holder) for at least five (5) years or only three (3) years if married to a US citizen.
During my 12 years as mayor and councilman of Monterey Park, as the demographics in our city were fast changing, I had the pleasure of conducting free citizenship classes on Saturdays at the city council chambers for aspiring US citizens of Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Latino ancestries. I prepared and distributed 2-page pamphlets with the following questions (Q) and answers (A) which enabled so many of our residents to obtain their US citizenship.
Q: What is the supreme (highest) law of the land?
A: The Constitution of the United States.
Q: In the event of a conflict between the US Constitution and other US laws passed by the US Congress, as well as state laws, which would prevail?
A: The US Constitution.
Q: What is the Bill of Rights?
A: These are contained in the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, which protects individual rights and liberties, such as the right of free speech, right to keep and bear arms, right against self-incrimination, right of free assembly, right to a fair trial, etc. (The Bill of Rights is really a successor to the British Magna Carta which spelled out various basic rights for the citizens of Britain.
Q: What form of government does the United States have?
A: REPUBLICAN. Most people would answer democratic, but that would be incorrect. While we are a democracy, the people do not directly vote for or pass the laws. We are a REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY, which means we elect people to represent us in a government and the make decisions for the people. This is called a REPUBLICAN FORM of government. Remember the pledge of allegiance, “and to the republic for which it stands?”
Q: What are the branches of the US (national) government and what are their functions?
A: (1) The Executive branch consisting of the President and his cabinet and executive officers. Their principal role is to EXECUTE (enforce) the laws; (2) the Judicial branch which interprets the laws and consist of the Supreme Court and other federal courts; and (3) the Legislative branch, which enacts the laws of the land. This last branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Together, both bodies comprise the US Congress.
Q: How are the members of the Senate and House elected?
A: Two senators are elected from each of the fifty states, statewide, regardless of the size of the state. Representatives are chosen according to population (roughly one representative per 700,000 people, or a portion thereof.)
Q: How are the power apportioned between the US (federal) Government and the 50 states?
A: The US government can only exercise those powers that are specifically enumerated and spelled out in the US Constitution. ALL OTHER powers of sovereign government not given to the Federal Government by the US Constitution are reserved to the states. If the US Congress should pass laws that are in the areas of states’ rights, the US Courts would declare them to be unconstitutional.
Q: How are the state government constituted?
A: Similar to that of the US Government, each state also has 3 branches of government, consisting of a governor (executive), a lawmaking body (State Assembly and State Senate in California) and a judicial branch consisting of a state supreme court that interprets the law.
After a review of your file and background, there will be a short oral examination of only a very few questions, but, in addition to the above, you should be able to name the president of the US, your state governor, US senators, and the congressman, assemblyman and state senator representing your district. You should also know some of the presidents who really stand out in US history, such as George Washington (the father of our country), Abraham Lincoln, largely credited with keeping the Union intact and freeing the slaves. Also, remember and read the Declaration of Independence by which this nation was born on July 4, 1776.
GOOD LUCK IN YOUR EFFORTS TO SEEK US CITIZENSHIP.
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Manibog & Manibog Law offices are regular columnists offering legal tips and perspectives in high profile legal cases and events. Monty is a former mayor of Monterey Park and Darren is former president of the Phil-Am Bar Association.
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