What does the term "prior" mean?

The term "prior" refers to something that occurred earlier in time. In the context of the USCIS N-400 application and citizenship processes, understanding this vocabulary is essential as it often relates to questions about previous residency, criminal history, or any past actions that may impact an applicant's eligibility for naturalization.

The other options describe different timeframes: "happening now" refers to the present, "future" indicates something that will occur later on, and "ongoing" suggests a situation that is still in progress. These definitions directly contrast with "prior," which explicitly denotes events or actions completed before the current moment. Thus, recognizing that "prior" focuses on what has come before is key in understanding its use in legal and application contexts.