As an immigrant living in Minnesota, you may hear that certain states have more restrictive or less restrictive immigration laws, and you may wonder what this means you if you are planning on applying for citizenship in Minnesota. The truth is, even though each state does have its own immigration laws that overlay the already complex federal laws, citizenship applications themselves are handled strictly at the federal level, and this means that it doesn't matter what state you are living in. The only thing that varies from state to state is waiting times for the interviews and exams, and although Minnesota does have quite lengthy waiting lists, most states have seen a significant increase in citizenship applications and waiting times over the past few years.You should not let fear or intimidation about the application process dissuade you from making an application for citizenship. Even mind that the United States is a country built on immigration, and the goal of the naturalization process is not to exclude anyone or make things unnecessarily difficult, but rather to give applicants an opportunity to show their knowledge, skills, and dedication to the responsibilities that come with citizenship. If you meet all the requirements and you are eligible to apply, there is no reason to hesitate, and in fact it is advisable to apply as soon as possible, considering the significant amount of time you will likely have to wait for an interview.While you are waiting to your interview appointment, you can use all that extra time to prepare for your interview and for your exam. There is no reason you cannot be successful if you have put in a reasonable amount of work, and help you out even further, recent changes to the government and history exam have created a situation where meaningful knowledge is far more important than memorizing names or dates. Nevertheless, some applicants still find the interview process to be intimidating, so that helps you to have someone with you, you're within your rights to bring your lawyer along for the interview.Your interview will go a lot more smoothly if you are confident speaking and writing in English. If this is a weak point for you, you might want to enroll in a class or spend some extra time practicing your conversational skills. The interview process can be very frightening if you don't understand everything that's going on, and your chances of having a successful application decrease greatly if you cannot understand everything that is said to you.For those who have successful applications, the end of the naturalization process is marked by a swearing-in ceremony that makes citizenship official. Gaining citizenship is definitely something to celebrate, as it marks the end of uncertainty and the beginning of a new, permanent life in the United States. Never again will you have to worry about the threat of deportation, or immigration laws changing in a way that doesn't suit your situation. Citizenship is forever, so if you plan on staying in United States, it's the best way to enjoy the full protection of the government.