Between delays in citizenship application processing and a more rigorous exam
A mother grocery shopping at a supermarket in Flushing pauses in front of the checkout counter. Inside her bag is her permanent resident card, which she received a long time ago. If she received the card in 1995, it has been nearly 30 years. Her child brought up the topic of the N-400, the application for naturalization, again a few days ago. “Let's do it this time.” The words were simple, but for the mother, it was not a simple matter. Applying for citizenship is not just about submitting another document; it's about re-examining one's identity and life of long years. Recently, N-400 applications are often delayed for several months or more depending on the region and case, and a new citizenship test will be applied to applications filed after October 20, 2025. USCIS guidelines regarding good moral character and background checks are also being interpreted more broadly than before. This does not mean that all permanent residents should rush. However, for those who have been putting it off for a long time, it is time to distinguish between vague fears and practical preparations. This article aims to explore, in a calmer and more realistic tone, the reasons why first-generation Korean permanent residents hesitate when faced with applying for citizenship.
30 years standing at the front of an English exam
More burdensome than the news that the number of exam questions has increased is the feeling of opening the door to the interview room.
N-400 applicants who file after October 20, 2025, will take the 2025 citizenship test. The new test will ask 20 questions from a list of 128, and passing requires getting 12 correct. Answering 9 questions incorrectly results in immediate failure. However, exceptions and accommodations remain for long-term resident elderly permanent residents. Those who are 50 years or older and have resided as a permanent resident for over 20 years, or those who are 55 years or older and have resided as a permanent resident for over 15 years, may be exempt from the English test and can take the citizenship test in their native language. Those who are 65 years or older and have resided as a permanent resident for over 20 years will receive special consideration, being asked 10 questions out of a designated list of 20, and needing 6 correct answers to pass. However, the difficulties I feel in actual consultations are more in the heart than in numbers. “I can memorize the questions, but I'm afraid to enter the interview room.” I often hear this. People who have run a business for 30 years, raised children, and paid taxes may freeze up just thinking about explaining their lives in English at a government desk. Even with English exemptions or the possibility of interpretation, the content of the application is ultimately one's own record. Addresses, travel history, taxes, arrests or tickets, family relationships, and past application history must be organized in advance. The citizenship test can be prepared through studying. More importantly, the preparation involves re-reading one's 30-year record in a way that feels familiar.
2. Korean nationality, and mother's country
Gaining citizenship means gaining new rights, but for some, it also means letting go of names they've held onto for a long time.
Under Korean nationality law, if a citizen of the Republic of Korea voluntarily acquires foreign nationality, they lose their Korean nationality at that time. This is a very real issue for adult permanent residents obtaining U.S. citizenship. However, for overseas Koreans aged 65 and over, there is a path to dual nationality if they enter Korea, apply for nationality restoration permission according to certain procedures, and make a pledge not to exercise foreign nationality. The important point is that simply turning 65 does not automatically grant dual nationality at the same time as acquiring U.S. citizenship. Nationality loss notification, residence or stay-related procedures, and nationality restoration applications must be confirmed separately. For many children, citizenship appears like a safety net for their parents. Considering voting rights, stability for long-term overseas stays, the scope of family invitations, public benefits, and identity stability, it is naturally recommended. However, for the parent generation, Korean nationality is often not about a passport but about the name they have lived by. Their family register in their hometown, their parents“ graves, the neighborhood they returned to during holidays, and the name they were called in Korea are all contained within that. Therefore, when a child suggests, ”Why don't you apply for citizenship?“ parents might first bring up the question, ”Then, does that mean I'm not Korean?” This question cannot be resolved with legal consultation alone. It is an issue that requires the family to spend time explaining together and, if necessary, jointly confirm the possibility of restoring Korean nationality.
3. Moral review, personal investigation, and 30 years of living
A single application form can sometimes make you re-examine your entire past life.
On August 15, 2025, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) issued a policy memorandum announcing a stricter and more comprehensive review of petitioners“ good moral character for citizenship applications. While applicants traditionally had to demonstrate good moral character for the five years prior to their application (or three years for spouses of citizens), and past actions could still be considered, the new guidance suggests a shift from merely proving the absence of disqualifying factors to also examining the applicant's overall life and positive contributions. Following this, on August 26, 2025, new guidelines were released regarding the resumption of personal investigations under INA 335(a). This does not mean that all applicants will undergo neighbor interviews. The scope and method of actual investigations may vary depending on the case, and it remains to be seen how these will be implemented in practice. Nevertheless, it is true that the burden on applicants has increased. It is crucial to review old arrest records, tax issues, child support obligations, DUIs, false statements, voter registration, long absences from the country, and past issues related to obtaining a green card before applying for citizenship. There is no need to fear that a minor traffic violation will immediately prevent citizenship. However, records that were previously dismissed as ”no big deal" could resurface during the application process and interview. Those who have lived diligently for 30 years may be the ones who have never bothered to review their records. Preparing for citizenship is not about finding flaws; it is a time to explain what needs explaining and organize what needs to be organized.
4. Two statuses at one table
Children with citizenship and parents with permanent residency live in the same house, yet live under different legal timelines.
At the dinner table, the child tells their mother again, “Mom, get your citizenship now.” For the child, it's a natural statement. They were born a citizen and have never worried about losing their citizenship even after staying abroad for a long time. They vote, receive jury duty summonses, and are relatively familiar with renewing their passport. However, for their mother, the U.S. is a country where she has lived for a long time, not a country she was born in. A permanent resident has the right to live in the U.S., but they are not in the same status as a citizen. Becoming a citizen allows one to sponsor siblings and frees them from concerns about abandoning their permanent residency due to long-term overseas stays. Conversely, permanent residents may face issues with re-entry and intent to reside when staying abroad for extended periods, and stays of six months or more may require explanation depending on the circumstances. Even if a green card expires, permanent residency itself doesn't immediately cease, but inconveniences and anxieties arise in everyday procedures like card renewal, travel, employment verification, and driver's license renewal. While there's a system where properly filing the N-400 can automatically extend the validity of a green card for a certain period, this doesn't make applying for citizenship the automatic right choice for everyone. The child speaks of security, and the parents consider their identity. This is not a conversation where one side is right and the other is wrong. Applying for citizenship is not a process for the child to persuade the parent, but a process the parent must decide on while feeling understood about their own life.
Closing remarks
When people are faced with a citizenship application, they usually first ask about the test and the processing time. How many months does it take, how many questions do I need to get right, and how much English proficiency is required. These are all important questions. However, for first-generation permanent residents who have lived here for a long time, there are other, deeper questions. How will I live as a citizen now? What happens to my Korean nationality? Are there any parts of my record that need explanation? Between the security my children recommend and the hesitation I feel, what should I check first? While many first-generation Koreans have already obtained citizenship, for those who remain permanent residents, that choice is not necessarily too late. However, the longer a decision is postponed, the more it needs to be broken down with accurate information rather than left as vague fear. If you prepare for the test separately, address nationality issues separately, and review moral character or record issues separately, a path will emerge. Citizenship does not mean the same thing to everyone. For some, it is legal security; for others, it is an issue of name that must be discussed with family; and for still others, it is a quiet process of organizing the past 30 years. The important thing is not to rush, but to examine it properly rather than avoid it. Whether the decision is to apply for citizenship now or to apply after a little more preparation, it should be based on understanding, not fear.
Disclaimer: This column is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice for any specific case. Immigration and nationality matters can vary depending on an individual's record, residency history, family relationships, criminal and tax records, etc. Therefore, please consult with an immigration attorney for advice on your specific situation.
Law Offices of Jin D. Cho
NEW YORK OFFICE (Flushing) 35-24 154th Street, Flushing, NY 11354
(t) 718-353-2699 (f) 718-353-8132
NEW JERSEY OFFICE 560 Sylvan Avenue, 3Fl., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
(t) 201-449-0009