Most states are generally known to change their immigration laws from time to time, but Indiana is particularly prone to fluctuating immigration and citizenship situations. Thus, if you are a resident living in Indiana with a green card and you are planning on making a permanent life in the United States, it is very likely in your best interest to apply for citizenship as soon as you possibly can. Citizenship is not only a good idea to protect your resident status, it also helps you enjoy the full rights and protection of the United States, including the right to vote in elections. It also means that when you travel abroad, you can count on United States government to assist you if you have any troubles. This combined with the peace of mind of knowing that you can never be asked to leave the country is enough to make anyone want to apply for citizenship.Most permanent residents who have not applied for citizenship yet are simply worried that the process would be too intimidating or too much of a hassle. While it is true that applying for citizenship is not as easy as, say, a walk in the park, it is important to remember that the point of the citizenship application process is not to keep people out, but rather to create an environment in which the solemnity of citizenship is respected, an environment where the responsibilities and the privileges of citizenship are taken seriously.This means that as an applicant for United States citizenship, you will be expected to meet a few basic requirements. These are the same regardless of which state you live in, so there is no benefit in moving from one place to another to try to find an "easier" state to apply in. In general terms, you need to be at least 18 years of age, have a clean criminal record, and a strong basic knowledge of the English language and American government. In addition, you must have been a legal resident of the United States for no less than five years.There is a common misconception that in the United States, becoming a citizen is as easy as getting married to a citizen. If this is what you have is believed, you will probably be disappointed to find out that this is not the case. Even green card holders who are married to American citizens must fulfill a residency requirement, though in the case of a spouse residency is reduced from five years to three years. After you have fulfilled your residency requirement, you still have to go through the full naturalization process before you can become a United States citizen. There is no "easy" way out of this other than to prove that you are serious about accepting your rights and responsibilities as a citizen. However, for those who are truly serious, the road to citizenship is pretty straightforward, and those who have successful applications can enjoy the full protection of their citizenship for the rest of their lives.