Why does it only take them 5 months but others that do it the right way, years?
Because they are coached to lie that they’ve been here at least 5 years. Fake proof of that is easy to come with.
They are talking about those who have done it the right way, but have never undergone the naturalization process.
So when they say it is taking 5 months, they are saying that based on the current caseloads and normal bureaucratic process, if they apply for naturalization, go thru the interviews, pay the fees, take the tests, go thru the ceremony, and the signing, they can expect it to take 5 months. After which they can register to vote.
There are many immigrants in the country who are legal permanent resident aliens(have a green card), but have never been naturalized.
When they say it takes years, they mean that it takes time to get a green card. After they get the green card they have to wait 5 years(3 years if they are married to a citizen). Then they can go thru naturalization.
If you wanted to, you could go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website and/or numerous other websites and become very knowledgeable.
When they talk about giving amnesty to the illegals, that could be amnesty to guest worker, which is temporary, and does not lead to getting a green card, undergoing naturalization, and becoming a citizen.
But, there is also amnesty onto the path, which means they have to stay on the path for 7 years, then get a green card, wait the 5 years, then become naturalized.
When they determine how long "on the path" is, that is determined by how long it takes to get a green card thru Consular Services. If you are a citizen in another country, you apply for green card at the US Embassy and it takes about 7 years and they give you the green card that allows you to legally enter the US and live permanently, but you still have to wait in line 5 years, then become naturalized.
So, when they give an illegal amnesty, they don't want to put him at the head of the line, or allow him to do it quicker. They put him on the path that takes about the same amount of time that it takes to get a green card thru Consular Services, 7 years.