U.S. Citizenship & Naturalization Overview
A foreign citizen or national can become a U.S. citizen through a process called naturalization. The privilege of citizenship requires allegiance to the United States. In return, a citizen is entitled to its protection. Many permanent residents choose to further formalize their relationship to the United States each year. They are motivated by loyalty and love of their adopted country, as well as an interest in the benefits they will receive as citizens. It makes sense to hire an attorney to help you with naturalization - the application must be completed correctly, and the applicant must pass two tests to be naturalized.
Bases for Citizenship: Birth, Blood, or Naturalization
The U.S. recognizes citizenship according to two fundamental principles: jus soli (right of birthplace), and jus sanguinis (right of blood). Under jus soli, a person receives American citizenship by virtue of being born in the United States. By contrast, jus sanguinis confers citizenship on those born to at least one U.S. citizen anywhere in the world. A person who does not qualify under either of these principles may seek U.S. citizenship through the process of naturalization.
Requirements for Naturalization
If an individual does not gain U.S. citizenship through either birth or descent, he or she may achieve citizenship through naturalization. Naturalization involves the acquisition of citizen status through specialized legal processes. To become a naturalized citizen of the United States, a foreign national first must meet several legal standards:
Entry, residence, and physical presence
: The applicant must lawfully enter the country and gain legal permanent resident status. After becoming a legal resident, a foreign national must reside in the United States continuously for five years (or three years for spouses of American citizens). During that period, he or she must be physically present in the country for at least fifty percent of the time. This "probationary" period allows the foreign national to become fully acclimated to American life and systems so that he or she can fully participate in the national community upon becoming a citizen.
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