Citizenship & Naturalization

Introduction

Citizenship is defined as being a member of a particular organization. Naturalization is the legal process of becoming a citizen. American citizenship is known to have many benefits, like protection from deportation, citizenship for children, new financial opportunities, a powerful passport, and more. With the U.S. being a hotspot known for the “American Dream,” millions of immigrants have traveled there with the hopes of being naturalized and starting a new life. Even now, 13.8% of Americans are foreign-born. However, many are not educated on how to go through the naturalization process. It is important to understand all possible routes and qualifications. The duties of citizenship are also often overlooked, by both naturalized and natural-born citizens. Citizenship and naturalization have always been a relevant topic in U.S. history, as the process of naturalization and benefits and duties of being a citizen have changed.

Relevant History

In 1790, the first naturalization act was passed, stating that any free, white, adult alien, male or female, who was law-abiding and lived in America for two or more years could be granted citizenship. Just five years later, the two year requirement was raised to five years. The naturalized citizen also had to renounce any loyalty to a different country three years before applying to be a citizen. In 1855, a new legislature was passed to automatically give citizenship to alien wives of U.S. citizens (later changed to only give citizenship after meeting all naturalization requirements). In 1870, African Americans were finally allowed to go through the naturalization process. As time passed by these requirements slowly shifted into the ones present now (see “Naturalization Process”).

As U.S. citizenship has always been important, two amendments and one act have been passed regarding the citizenship requirements. The 15th amendment, which allowed African Americans the right to vote, and the 19th amendment, which allowed women the right to vote, officially qualified women and African Americans as citizens. Although women were previously considered citizens, they did not have the same rights/ civic duties as men, making them unqualified for the definition of citizenship. The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 finally gave Native Americans citizenship rights. Ironically, the Native Americans were the last of those three groups to obtain U.S. citizenship.

Benefits of U.S. Citizenship

Not only is the U.S. famed for developed healthcare, education, and the “American Dream,” but U.S. citizenship is also seen as one of the most desirable and powerful citizenships internationally. The benefits are extremely helpful to those trying to start a new life as there are many aimed towards family or freedoms. One benefit that allows families to stick together is that U.S. citizens’ families have a higher priority for the proper documents to immigrate to the U.S. Furthermore, children of a U.S. citizen are automatically U.S. citizens, regardless of their birthplace. U.S. citizenship is also a sign of patriotism and pride for the country. Only citizens are eligible to vote in Presidential elections and most states also restrict that vote for Governor elections. With citizenship, people can get jobs as an elected official and can work in Federal jobs. However, a highly debated benefit that only benefits natural-born citizens is the right to be President. Many believe the rule should be removed as all naturalized citizens are unable to run for President, regardless of their dedication to the country. On the other hand, some believe it is necessary to be born in America for more of the patriotism that naturalized citizens may lack. Lastly, one of the strongest benefits is the U.S. passport, ranked 8 on the passport index. The U.S. is known for having access to 172 countries visa-free as the passport is extremely powerful. Due to these benefits, more and more immigrants travel to the U.S. with the hopes of obtaining a citizenship.

Duties of U.S. Citizenship

While there are many benefits to being a U.S. citizen, there are duties that come with it. Currently, to become a U.S. citizen, it is necessary to take the Oath of Allegiance. The Oath includes giving up prior allegiance, swearing allegiance to the U.S., supporting and defending the U.S. Constitution and laws, and serving the country when necessary. While the Oath covers most of the responsibilities, there are still more that come with being a citizen. Another duty is voting for officials, whether it be the mayor or the president. Jury duty and, if male, being drafted into the military go along with serving the country. Tolerance of differences is also an American duty. As America has more and more immigrants, it is necessary to respect all the different races, cultures, ethnic groups, etc. These are all parts of being an active and helpful member of the community and the whole country.

Naturalization Process

There are more and more naturalized citizens in the U.S. every year with many seeking a new start. While the naturalization process may seem complicated, there are many sources and instructions to make it easier. The first step is to clarify the status of citizenship. Many already have citizenship by being born on U.S. grounds or having parents with U.S. citizenship. If that is not the case, the applicant must ensure they are eligible. The five basic naturalization requirements are to be 18 years old, be a lawful permanent resident for five years (if married to a citizen, the five-year requirement is changed to three years), be fluent in English, have “good moral character,” and show an understanding of the U.S. Civics. If these requirements are met, there are forms and fees for the naturalization that must be completed. After finishing all of these processes, USCIS will schedule an interview where they may test some of the eligibility requirements (ex. testing understanding of U.S. civics). If the interview, forms, and fees all pass, then the last step to go is the naturalization ceremony. In the ceremony, the applicant will take the Oath of Allegiance to the U.S., and after reviewing the certificate for any mistakes, the applicant is officially deemed a U.S. citizen. The choice to become a U.S. citizen can be challenging, so make sure to fully understand what benefits and duties come with it. There are many resources out there to help in the decision, including some in the "Learn More" section.

Significance

Citizenship and naturalization are crucial topics to learn about as both citizens and immigrants can benefit from them. Citizens can understand their civic duties and benefits while immigrants can weigh the pros and cons of applying for citizenship. As citizens perform their responsibilities, overall civic engagement in the U.S. will improve. For those looking to go through the naturalization process, knowing the topic will help them both during and after the process. Furthermore, if natural-born citizens learn about the naturalization process, it can help break boundaries between immigrants and natural-born citizens as they can obtain a better understanding of their struggles. Citizenship is a cornerstone of civics and overall U.S. improvement, so educating potential and current citizens is important for the future of our country.

Learn More

"Should I Consider U.S. Citizenship?" https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/should-i-consider-us-citizenship
Timeline of Naturalization/Citizenship Events https://med.virginia.edu/family-medicine/wp-content/uploads/sites/285/2017/02/Sarai-Martinez-Suazo-US-Naturalization_Web.pdf
Preparing for the United States Naturalization Test A Pocket Study Guide ISBN: 9781510750647
- Google Book Profile: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Preparing_for_the_United_States_Naturali/VMeeDwAAQBAJ?hl=en

Reference List

Benefits of citizenship. New Americans Campaign. (2024, February 8). https://www.newamericanscampaign.org/learn-about-becoming-a-citizen/benefits-of-citizenship/

Bolger, E. (2020, April 28). Naturalization process in U.S.: Early history. Social Welfare History Project. https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/federal/naturalization-process-in-u-s-early-history/#:~:text=The%20first%20naturalization%20act%2C%20passed,years%20was%20eligible%20for%20citizenship.

Passport of United States of America: RANK = 8: Passport index 2024: How powerful is yours?. Passport Index - Global Mobility Intelligence. (n.d.). https://www.passportindex.org/?country=us

10 steps to naturalization. USCIS. (2023, August 31). https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/10-steps-to-naturalization

What Are the Benefits and Responsibilities of Citizenship? (n.d.). https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/chapter2.pdf

Page updated

Report abuse