HIAS U.S. Citizenship

Service areas include:

• Naturalization applications
• Medical disability waivers
• Interpreter assistance for the disabled
• Advocacy and Problem Solving with the Citizenship and Immigration Service

HIAS Chicago recommends that immigrants of all ages apply to become U.S. citizens as soon as they are eligible. Becoming a U.S. citizen provides you with the opportunity to fully participate in American life. Some of the benefits with U.S. citizenship:

• Travel outside the U.S.
• Opportunity to bring immediate relatives to resettle in the U.S.
• Vote in local and national elections
• Access to certain public benefits
• May apply for certain government job
• The only absolute protection against deportation

To become a citizen:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a United States citizen)
• Able to demonstrate (NEED LINK FOR MEDICAL DISABILITY WAIVER) that you can read, write, speak and understand basic English
• Be of good moral character 


HIAS Immigration & Citizenship’s application services are tailored to meet the needs of each age group and geographic location, providing access to professionally trained, bilingual staff throughout the community, who will assist you in evaluating your eligibility and in completing and processing the necessary documents for application.

N-600 Application for Citizenship Certificate

Children of naturalized parents, who were under the age of 18 at the time of their parents’ naturalization, automatically derive U.S. citizenship through their parents’ naturalization. HIAS Immigration & Citizenship recommends that in addition to obtaining a U.S. passport, each child of naturalized parents apply for a Certificate of Citizenship as permanent documentation of their citizenship status. HIAS Immigration & Citizenship can assist you in applying for a Certificate of Citizenship.

Medical Disability Waiver Assistance

Those applicants who are unable to learn or demonstrate knowledge of basic English and history and civics, due to a documented medical disability, may apply for a waiver of these citizenship requirements. 

To address the needs of those who are a part of this population, HIAS Immigration & Citizenship offers clients and their family members guidance on their disability waiver applications, consultation between HIAS Immigration & Citizenship staff and their medical doctor about the criteria utilized by the Immigration Service to be included in their waiver application, and a practice review of the contents and questions which may be posed to them at their citizenship exam.

Interpreter Assistance at the Citizenship Interview

For those HIAS Immigration & Citizenship citizenship applicants who have applied for citizenship with a medical disability waiver, a HIAS Immigration & Citizenship citizenship staff member is available to accompany the client to the citizenship interview and provide interpreter services; and when necessary, to provide advocacy on behalf of the client with immigration adjudicators and supervisors.

Advocacy and Problem Solving with the Citizenship and Immigration Service

Through its strong, working relationship with the Immigration Service, HIAS Immigration & Citizenship assists its clients by formally inquiring about the status of their citizenship applications. In addition, HIAS Immigration & Citizenship advocates on behalf of clients to resolve problem situations during the application or interview process. This work involves regular written and phone contact with the local Immigration Office, or written inquiries to the appropriate processing center. 

In addition, HIAS Immigration & Citizenship, along with partnering community-based agencies, meets regularly with the Immigration Service to discuss overall issues related to the processing and adjudication of benefits.