Different Categories of American
The land of the free and home of the brave!
Unsurprisingly, there are millions of people who want to obtain US citizenship. Each year, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives as many as 6 million immigration applications from all over the globe.
There are three main ways to legally become a US citizen.
Born in the US
Children who are either born in the US or in one of its territories get automatic US citizenship—most of the time. As per the Title 8 of the US Code (Aliens and Nationality) children born to foreign government officials, like diplomats, will not receive automatic US citizenship even if they were born on American soil.
Those with US citizenship by being born in the States have it for life, unless they legally give it up via an affirmative action.
Born To US Citizens
A person born to at least one US citizen will be automatically granted US citizen status. This happens due to the process of acquisition where the place you were born, whether within or outside of America, doesn’t matter.
Children born to such citizens will also have US citizenship because of their parent(s). Those who’re born outside of the country and are adopted by a US citizen can claim for citizenship too.
Unfortunately, the US laws regarding this category of citizenship can become quite complex. Things such as the citizenship of the parents are noted as well as their marital status.
Process of Derivation & Naturalization of Parents
The process of derivation can allow a child to obtain US citizenship. However, this process is only applicable if at least one parent has become a US citizen via the process of naturalization.
This process is administered by the USCIS. Note that during the process of naturalization of parents, the child needs to be under 18 and possess a permanent US residency (green card). They should also be living with their naturalized parent (s) at the time.
There are a few perks of this process. Children who obtain US citizenship via the process of naturalization of their parent(s) don’t have to take a naturalization test anytime in the future.
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