Mississippi may have a reputation for having some of the most restrictive immigration laws in the United States, but if you are a resident living in Mississippi with a green card, the state you live in will not affect your application for citizenship. Citizenship applications are handled on a federal level, and once you are a citizen, it does not matter what state you reside in - you will still have the full protection of the United States government, and you'll still have all the responsibilities and rights that come along with citizenship. For most immigrants, naturalization is the final goal, the finish line in a very long race. As long as you remember that it is a marathon rather than a sprint, your experience applying for citizenship should be a rewarding one.Waiting times for citizenship applications have increased greatly over the last few years, so if you are now eligible for citizenship and you want to apply, sooner is better than later. Keep in mind that immigration and citizenship laws are constantly changing, though that the state and federal levels, and they almost always become more complex rather than simpler. It makes sense to get your application in as soon as possible, and if you are at all wary about changes in the laws or not understanding the law completely, then it is definitely advisable to seek legal counsel.How do you know if you are eligible to apply for citizenship? You must be at least 18 years of age, you must be a legal resident of the United States for at least five years, and you must have a clean criminal record. If you are already married to a United States citizen, the length of your residency requirement is reduced from five years to three years. It is important to note that the residency requirement is never waived completely simply on the basis of marriage.After your lawyer has put in your application for citizenship, you must wait for a response, which hopefully will include an appointment for an interview. For most applicants, the interview is the most intimidating part of the citizenship process, but it is important to keep in mind that no one is trying to "catch you out" or make things difficult for you. The main point of the interview is to give you an opportunity to show just how serious you are about the prospect of citizenship, and to demonstrate that you have the appropriate skills and knowledge to be a United States citizen.There is also an exam portion to be completed before you can be naturalized, but again, the point is to allow you to show what you know. You must be able to speak, read, and write in English, and you must show that you have an adequate knowledge of the United States government and history. Recent changes in the exam now benefit applicants more than ever, as the emphasis is less on memorization of names and dates and more on meaningful knowledge.