How does someone become a citizen of the United States select all that apply
To become a citizen of the United States, one must satisfy certain eligibility criteria and follow a formal naturalization process. The steps to become a U.S. citizen include:
1. Birthright citizenship: People who are born on U.S. soil automatically acquire U.S. citizenship, with a few exceptions.
2. Citizenship through parents: Individuals may acquire U.S. citizenship if at least one of their parents is a U.S. citizen at the time of their birth, either through birth or naturalization.
3. Green Card (Permanent Resident) through family, employment, refugee status, or other eligible categories: One can become a citizen by first obtaining lawful permanent resident status, commonly known as a green card. This can be obtained through family sponsorship, sponsorship by an employer, refugee or asylum status, or other eligible categories.
4. Residency requirement: Generally, applicants must have been a lawful permanent resident for at least five years (or three years if married to a U.S. citizen) before applying for U.S. citizenship.
5. Good moral character: Applicants must demonstrate good moral character, which involves having a clean criminal record, paying taxes, obeying laws, and being generally of good character.
6. Knowledge of English and U.S. civics: Applicants must pass an English language test and a civics exam to demonstrate basic knowledge of U.S. history, government, and the English language.
7. Application and interview: Eligible individuals must complete the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and attend an interview with a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer.
8. Oath of Allegiance: After successfully completing the application process and being approved, applicants attend a naturalization ceremony where they take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States.
Note: The process may have variations depending on individual circumstances, and not all options for citizenship eligibility apply to everyone.