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Basics of U.S. Citizenship
Citizenship is a unique bond that unites people around civic ideals and a belief in the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
You can become a U.S. citizen by birth or through naturalization.
Birthright Citizenship
Generally, people are born U.S. citizens if they are born in the United States or if they are born abroad to U.S. citizens. You may also derive U.S. citizenship if you were under 18 and a lawful permanent resident when one or both of your parents naturalized, or after adoption by a U.S. citizen parent.
Currently, a person born in the United States and subject to U.S. jurisdiction is entitled to citizenship. Under the bill, a person is subject to U.S. jurisdiction if he or she is born to a parent who is (1) a U.S. citizen or national, (2) a lawful permanent resident residing in the United States, or (3) an alien performing active service in the Armed Forces.
Naturalized Citizenship
Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a lawful permanent resident after meeting the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
The eligibility requirements for U.S. Citizenship vià Naturalization specify that the applicant must:
- Be at least 18 years of age old;
- Show that you are a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States;
- Have resided in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least five years;
- Have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months;
- Be a person of good moral character;
- Be able to speak, read, write and understand the English language;
- Have and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and of the principles and form of government, of the United States;
- Demonstrate attachment to the principles of the Constitution and be well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States; and,
- Be willing and able to take the Oath of Allegiance.
