What must immigrants do to become citizens?

Answer 1

1. Family-based: A U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident (a "green card" holder) sponsors a family member for immigration. Waiting periods for obtaining such visas vary depending on the closeness of the family relationship, and can be lengthy, because a limited number of visas are available each year. 2. Employment-Based: Employers sponsor a potential employee for immigration; in select cases extraordinarily-qualified immigrants may immigrate without an employer-sponsor. Employer sponsors must demonstrate that there are an insufficient number of qualified workers available in the United States to meet their need. The wait can last 7 to 8 years because of the limited number of visas. 3. Asylum and Refugee Status: These protections are available to people who are unable or unwilling to return to their home countries because of persecution or a wellfounded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. In general, asylee status is granted in the United States and refugee status is granted outside of it. 4. Diversity Lottery: For those who don't have a family member or employer to sponsor them, the Diversity Lottery may be an option. Only 50,000 winners are granted visas annually in this process. Not everyone is eligible to enter the lottery: The program aims to increase immigration from underrepresented countries, so each year the State Department issues a list of those countries whose citizens may notapply. For 2008, immigrants from the following countries are excluded from the visa lottery: Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Korea, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.