Many immigrants from different countries dream of becoming U.S. citizens, so they seek help from a naturalization lawyer. To accomplish this, getting a Green Card is the first step in the process. Once they are Green Card holders, they can stay in the country legally. The next step is to apply for citizenship, and there are four ways to attain this. Keep on reading to learn the types of citizenship, requirements, processing time, and benefits.
An Overview Of U.S. Citizenship
U.S. citizenship is a legal status granted to individuals who are recognized subjects of the country. It provides them with various rights and protections, such as the right to vote and freedom of expression. They can also hold government positions and competitive jobs. So by becoming U.S. citizens, they improve their standard of living and enjoy benefits from the government.
One of the primary sources of citizenship is a birthright, which refers to an individual’s legal status if born within the country’s territorial boundaries. Another is naturalization, which is a process that allows immigrants who are already in the country to apply for citizenship. The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution states that the citizenship of individuals is determined by meeting its requirements.
The United States allows multiple citizenships. Suppose an individual becomes a U.S. citizen after being born in another country. In that case, they can retain their previous citizenship even though they must renounce their allegiance to their birth country. However, they must go through the formal process at an American embassy to have their U.S. citizenship.
The United States allows naturalized individuals to have dual citizenship. It is because the U.S. government doesn’t require people who have become citizens to give up citizenship in their home country. The U.S. immigration law doesn’t explicitly address the issue of dual citizenship.
However, in its oath of allegiance, the U.S. government requires one to abandon loyalty and fidelity to other nations. The U.S. government’s position on dual citizenship states that people may have the right to nationality in two countries and should be subject to the responsibilities of their home country and their adopted nation.
Types Of U.S. Citizenship
There are four basic ways to become an American citizen. These include citizens through marriage, naturalization, the military, and parents. According to The Voice of America, the number of naturalizations was up by 30% in 2021. So it shows an increasing number of Green Card holders applying for citizenship.
Getting the proper legal advice and assistance when applying for U.S. citizenship can be challenging. It will help if you find a naturalization lawyer with the necessary skills to help you out.
Lincoln-Goldfinch Law
1005 E 40th St
Austin, TX 78751
(855) 502-0555 |