Naturalization process
tedious, but worth it
Micah Schachinger Hill described her journey to become a naturalized U.S. citizen for fellow members of the Kinston Rotary Club on Thursday.
A native of the Bahamas, the daughter of an Austrian father and British mother, Hill came to the United States at the age of 6 and settled with her family in Virginia. She graduated from Virginia Tech and has lived in Kinston twice, separated by a stint in Atlanta. She and her husband, Al, own and operate Onslow Container Service. She’s been a citizen for five years.
She was prompted to enter the naturalization process by her desire to vote in the 2008 election and by difficulties that a foreign passport had created as she traveled in and out of the country, in these times of heightened security. Immigration agencies are now grouped under the Department of Homeland Security.
“The paperwork is quite extensive,” she told the club. “Basically, they wanted every bit of information they can have about you.”
People who are born in the United States or are born to U.S. citizens elsewhere in the world are automatically American citizens. Naturalization is available through several avenues, from those with family in the U.S. who are already citizens to those seeking political asylum. The number of applications for U.S. citizenship greatly exceeds the number of slots available through naturalization.
“Cost is a hurdle for those seeking citizenship,” said Hill, who hired an immigration attorney to guide her through the process. “I think that’s why we see a lot of illegal immigration.”
To be considered for citizenship, a person must be able to show he or she has lived in the United States for five years or, if married to a U.S. citizen, for three years; must be able to speak and read English; and cannot have any felony convictions.
“I can just imagine if English wasn’t my primary language how much more stressful that would have been,” Hill said.
The test given candidates for citizenship assesses English skills and knowledge of American history. The toughest question Hill was asked: Which constitutional amendment gave women the right to vote?
Since becoming a citizen, she has voted in two presidential elections. “I’m really glad to be an American,” she said.
The Kinston Rotary Club meets at 1 p.m. each Thursday at King’s Restaurant.