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Citizenship & Naturalization

Citizenship & Naturalization

 

Immigration | Bankruptcy & Anti-Discrimination Attorneys

At Sakhia Law Group, we practice & serve the client’s legal needs in the areas of:

US CIS provides the following information on this subject:

A Unique Bond :

 

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. 

Deciding to become a U.S. citizen is one of the most important decisions an immigrant can make. Depending on your situation, there may be different ways to obtain 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).
  • Acquisition of citizenship is obtained through U.S. citizenship parents either at birth or after birth, but before the age of 18.

The United States has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all parts of the world. The United States values the contributions of immigrants who continue to enrich this country and preserve its legacy as a land of freedom and opportunity. USCIS is proud of its role in maintaining our country’s tradition as a nation of immigrants and will administer immigration and naturalization benefits with integrity.

U.S. 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. The promise of citizenship is grounded in the fundamental value that all persons are created equal and serves as a unifying identity to allow persons of all backgrounds, whether native or foreign-born, to have an equal stake in the future of the United States.

This volume of the USCIS Policy Manual explains the laws and policies that govern U.S. citizenship and naturalization. 

USCIS administers citizenship and naturalization law and policy by:

  • Providing accurate and useful information to citizenship and naturalization applicants;

  • Promoting awareness and understanding of citizenship; and

  • Adjudicating citizenship and naturalization applications in a consistent and accurate manner.

Accordingly, USCIS reviews benefit request for citizenship and naturalization to determine whether: 

  • Foreign-born children of U.S. citizens by birth or naturalization meet the eligibility requirements before recognizing their acquisition or derivation of U.S. citizenship. 

  • Persons applying for naturalization based on their time as lawful permanent residents meet the eligibility requirements to become U.S. citizens.

  • Persons applying for naturalization based on their marriage to a U.S. citizen meet the eligibility requirements for naturalization through the provisions for spouses of U.S. citizens.

  • Members of the U.S. armed forces and their families are eligible for naturalization and ensure that qualified applicants are naturalized expeditiously through the military provisions.

  • Persons working abroad for certain entities, including the U.S. Government, meet the eligibility requirements for certain exceptions to the general naturalization requirements. 

Volume 12, Citizenship and Naturalization, contains detailed guidance on the requirements for citizenship and naturalization.

Volume 12: Citizenship and Naturalization

Volume 12 Parts

Guidance

Part A

Citizenship and Naturalization Policies and Procedures

General policies and procedures relating to citizenship and naturalization

Part B

Naturalization Examination

Naturalization examination, to include security checks, interview and eligibility review

Part C

Accommodations

Accommodations and modifications that USCIS may provide in the naturalization process

Part D

General Naturalization Requirements

General naturalization requirements that apply to most lawful permanent residents

Part E

English and Civics Testing and Exceptions

Testing for educational requirements for naturalization

Part F

Good Moral Character

Good moral character for naturalization and the related permanent and conditional bars

Part G

Spouses of U.S. Citizens

Spouses of U.S. citizens who reside in the United States or abroad

Part H

Children of U.S. Citizens

Children of U.S. citizens who may have acquired or derived citizenship stateside or abroad

Part I

Military Members and their Families

Provisions based on military service for members of the military and their families 

Part J

Oath of Allegiance

Oath of Allegiance for naturalization, to include modifications and waivers

Part K

Certificates of Citizenship and Naturalization

Issuance and replacement of Certificates of Citizenship and Certificates of Naturalization

Part L

Revocation of Naturalization

General procedures for revocation of naturalization (denaturalization)

 

B. Background

Upon the adoption of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, the first U.S. citizens were granted citizenship status retroactively as of 1776. Neither an application for citizenship, nor the taking of an Oath of Allegiance was required at that time. [1] Persons only needed to remain in the United States at the close of the war and the time of independence to show that they owed their allegiance to the new Government and accepted its protection. 

The following key legislative acts provide a basic historical background for the evolution of the general eligibility requirements for naturalization as set forth in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Evolution of Naturalization Requirements Prior to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of 1952

Act

Statutory Provisions

Naturalization Act of 1790

  • Established uniform rule of naturalization and oath of allegiance

  • Established two year residency requirement for naturalization

  • Required good moral character of all applicants

Naturalization Act of 1798

  • Permitted deportation of aliens considered dangerous

  • Increased residency requirements from 2 years to 14 years

Naturalization Act of 1802

  • Reduced residency requirement from 14 years to 5 years

Naturalization Act of 1891

  • Rendered polygamists, persons suffering from contagious disease and persons convicted of a “misdemeanor involving moral turpitude” ineligible for naturalization.

Naturalization Act of 1906

  • Standardized naturalization procedures

  • Required knowledge of English language for citizenship

  • Established the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization

The Alien Registration Act of 1940

  • Required the registration and fingerprinting of all aliens in the United States over the age of 14 years

 

C. Legal Authorities

 

Footnote


[^ 1] See Frank G. Franklin, The Legislative History of Naturalization in the United States; From the Revolutionary War to 1861 (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1906).

US Code

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