Your letters for June 14, 2024

By NewsPress Now

On the move

Immigration: The process of moving from one country to another. Immigration was technically practiced before any of the countries that make up today’s United Nations even existed. Every country in the world, from the largest to the smallest, has an immigration policy.

Becoming a citizen of the United States is a lengthy process and requires the applicant to meet a battery of specific and challenging criteria (such as living in the U.S. for a certain number of years), and complete several demanding tasks, such as attending an interview, passing tests of the English language and American civics and pledging allegiance to the United States.

Methods of becoming a citizen of another country:

Blood relations, birth nation — children born in that country are automatically granted citizenship. Marriage — In most countries, the foreign-born spouse of a citizen is offered a faster path to citizenship. Naturalization is open to anyone able to live gainfully employed in a country for a certain number of years. Exceptional ability — who can bring specific world-class talents along with them. Military service — permitted to serve in the military and are granted fast-tracked citizenship upon completion of certain service-related milestones. Business investment by investing heavily in businesses based in their host country.

Top hardest countries to immigrate to:

Austria is happy to welcome immigrants so long as they have in-demand work skills.

• Germany — One must demonstrate an ability to speak German and also show knowledge of the German political system and society.
• China — Only 941 people out of more than a billion were naturalized citizens.
• Japan — Must live in the country for five years and endure a meticulous review and interview process that may take years to complete.
• Kuwait — Must live in the country for at least 20 years
• Bhutan — The Bhutan Citizenship Act states that for a person to be granted citizenship at birth, both parents must be Bhutanese citizens.
• South Korea — In addition to living five years in the country and (usually) renouncing any other citizenships, applicants must learn to speak, read, and write Korean, and males aged 18-35 must perform 18 months of military service.
• United States — First, one must obtain the “green card” required to become a permanent resident of the United States, a process that is becoming increasingly difficult.

Here are eight of the countries where it’s most difficult to become a citizen.

• Vatican City — You can become a citizen if you are a cardinal living in Vatican City or Rome or if you are a diplomat representing the Holy See.
• Liechtenstein — You need to live in Liechtenstein for at least 30 years, with each year before you turn 20 counting as two years.
• Bhutan — It takes two Bhutanese parents to be born a citizen, and if you only have one, you have to apply for naturalized citizenship after you have lived in Bhutan for 15 years.
• Qatar — If your father is not Qatari, then neither are you, even if your mother is.
• United Arab Emirates — The UAE will let you apply to be a citizen if you have legally resided in the Emirates for 30 years.
• Kuwait — After living in Kuwait for 20 years (15 for citizens of other Arab countries), you can apply to be granted Kuwaiti citizenship, but only if you are Muslim by birth or conversion.
• Switzerland — You must have lived in the country for 10 years and have a working permit called a C permit.
• China — The Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China allows foreigners to try to become naturalized citizens if they have relatives who are Chinese citizens, have settled in China, or “have other legitimate reasons.”

Ben Pecora

St. Joseph