Public understanding of the law really needs to be improved, considering that currently there are more and more cases of legal fraud, or legal problems relating to the public or citizens caused by their ignorance of the application of the law, and also the public’s lack of understanding of the law.
Therefore, in this discussion we will review several legal cases that many people experience. It is a law education for citizens so that you as a person who is unfamiliar with the law can develop your legal literacy. That way you can live your social life more safely and comfortably.
Apply for Citizenship after Marriage
Many questions that often arise among citizens are “Can they apply to become Indonesian citizens before 3 years of marriage?”
The nationality law in force in the US stipulates that a permanent US citizen who is married to a US citizen is allowed to apply for the naturalization process after the couple has completed three years of marriage. Additional information, the person concerned must also live in the United States for a minimum of 18 months of the specified period, namely 3 years.
Application Submission
The couple who wants to submit an application for naturalization, the spouse who is a US citizen is allowed to submit the application up to 90 days before the three-year rule applies to them.
According to the regulations, they are actually allowed to submit applications for citizenship or naturalization earlier, but they are not eligible for the naturalization process until they have passed the 3 year residency period as required by US law. You also need to note that you need to complete other citizenship documents as well so that the process can run smoothly.
Applying for naturalization still provides the main requirement to live in the country for at least 3 years continuously. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service or USCIS calculates initial naturalization applications by counting 90 days from the day before they first met the continuous residency requirements for the naturalization process.
How to Register US Citizenship in Marital Union
According to marriage, married couples can apply for naturalization for their partners. Appropriate eligibility options need to be checked when applying for naturalization as proof that the application for citizenship is based on marriage to a citizen residing in the US.
Proof of spouse’s United States citizenship:
- Department of State Consular Reports on Births Abroad
- A valid United States passport that has not expired
- Naturalization Certificate
- Citizenship certificate
- US birth certificate
Before submitting Form N-400 to apply for naturalization, and after the naturalization process, you must live with your US spouse for at least 3 years.
The minimum stay period of 3 years will change to 5 years if you are no longer married to a US citizen. It could be due to divorce or death.
Prisoners’ Rights
Not only is legal knowledge related to the general public, the rights of inmates are also things that need to be protected, remembering that no matter what, they still have rights as citizens living in a country. The following is a review related to inmates’ rights and law education for citizens that important to know.
Assault and Violence in Prisons
- In the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, there is an obligation for prison guards to exercise restraint and not take excessive action against inmates and to guard against attacks by other inmates.
- Officers are strictly prohibited from carrying out violence that will cause harm to inmates. Violence may only be used to bring order or control the situation.
- The Eighth Amendment is considered violated if officers remain silent even though they know that an inmate is being threatened by another inmate, then if prison practices and conditions allow the risk of unreasonable disturbances, for example there are not enough officers, the cell door is broken or cannot be locked properly, and much more.
Do This
Inmates who are attacked by other inmates or officers can file a complaint, and can also file an appeal at various levels available. Please also note that if there is a specified time limit for submitting an appeal, do so as soon as possible.
When the inmate believes that he will be attacked, then talk to someone he trusts, such as a trusted officer, doctor, nurse, spiritual officer.
Religious Discrimination in Prisons
- Federal law regulates the protection of inmates’ practice of worship. When the policies, rules and systems in prison make it difficult for you to practice worship according to the religion you believe in, it is necessary to show that this is for a much more important interest, in this case relating to the state.
In this case, it is an obligation to maintain the overall safety of the prison, and it is no longer possible to find another way to overcome this problem.
Once it is certain that the officers do not have a strong reason to prohibit you, they must provide religious accommodation for inmates who follow a religion.
- In many special circumstances, officers must provide food that is in accordance with beliefs, for example providing halal and clean food, worship services, and access to clergy. Officers are also asked to allow inmates to wear accessories, religious clothing, books according to their beliefs and even in terms of religious appearance, such as having a beard or long hair.
- There should be no coercion from officers regarding certain beliefs. Officers may not punish inmates who refuse to take part in religious processions if they refuse or have different beliefs.
There must be no preference or partiality for certain religions, for example officers do not behave better with people who have different beliefs or something like that.
These are some law education for citizens that may be very useful for people who want to become US citizens. Apart from that, residents also have a brief overview of the rights that inmates in prison must receive, and apply them as human beings regardless of the criminal cases they have committed.
Moreover, in detention there is a rehabilitation process that will improve the attitudes and characteristics of the inmates. This is a step taken to prepare inmates when they return to society and become law-abiding citizens. Hope it is useful.
