The Cost of Getting to the American Dream

He's not a Dreamer, but the citizenship resources are vital to the immigration discussion.

America, "the land of the free and home of the brave....." Unlike other countries where the national anthem is rarely heard, in the United States it's a familiar refrain heard in schools, many events and at all sports competitions.

The United States is comprised of 50 states, 16 territories, and more than 323.1 million people, according to the 2016 US Census.

It would seem that with that many people being brought in, becoming a US citizen would be a simple process, but it actually costs more money and time than most would expect.

Costly Paperwork

The paperwork is one the biggest costs involved with becoming a citizen in the United States.

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services it costs $725 for the application for naturalization, with the application itself being $640 and the background check cost being $85.

This cost can go down throughout all the paperwork and over time, but according to someone who recently went through the naturalization process the fees can range from $600-$1000.

From Benin to U.S. Academia

Kossi Nouwakpo, a researcher for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Reno, is a recently naturalized United States Citizen.

He is originally from Benin, a country in West Africa that is located right next to Nigeria.

He initially visited the midwestern state of Indiana in 2003, and then went back in 2006 to go to graduate school with the Agricultural Department.

After attending Purdue University and meeting his wife there, he said his trajectory of naturalization was maybe easier than for most, since he entered the process as a student . For him the idea of “the American Dream” was the big draw. But there were many delays for him as well.

Photo by Alina Dennis

“The United States has always been this place historically-and hopefully it stays that way- where people want to go; the place where it's portrayed as where opportunities are wide open and broad and anyone can achieve a lot of things if they have the drive to do so,” said Nouwakpo.

Kossi reflected that the process was generally smooth for him but he did encounter multiple waiting periods. The process roughly goes as follows:

1. Apply for permanent citizenship - that is the step right before being a naturalized citizen

2. Wait to hear back

3. Complete an interview and exam that is composed of questions ranging from Politics and Economy to Geography.

Graphic on the process of applying for citizenship by Alina Dennis

Difficulties and Opportunities for Families

For many the process can wear on the family around them when going through the naturalization process.

Heidi Bautista, a university student in Reno, remembers the toll that her mom's process took on her when she was younger.

For Bautista's mother this year marks the tenth anniversary since she went through her process of becoming a citizen of the United States.

Bautista recalls how it felt through her eyes as a child seeing her mother struggling through the process:

"I just remember her sitting there studying for her exams and always saying 'That's it, I can't do it!' But that's why she's just the strongest woman I know, she kept studying and doing all she could so that she could become a citizen," says Bautista.

For Kossi, he has three children that are now American citizens. When asked about the Dreamers Kossi thought of it in the context of his own children:

"If I put it back in the context of my kids...I believe the Dreamers, people who did not choose to be part of the american life and become part of the american landscape, people, I think they have to get a shot to have a well thought process to enjoy and continue the life they have already started here."

Written by Alina Dennis