Naturalization And Citizenship

U.S. Citizenship From Birth

The U.S. Constitution confers U.S. citizenship at birth upon those born in the United States. By statute, American citizenship is also acquired at birth by children born to two American citizens if one of the parents has lived in the United States or one of its outlying possessions prior to the child’s birth. Children born abroad to a U.S. citizen and a noncitizen are U.S. citizens if the citizen parent lived in the United States for certain specified periods of time before the child’s birth.

Naturalization

Naturalization refers to the process by which a foreign person may become a United States citizen. Since the United States’ inception, Congress has sought to promote the naturalization of qualified aliens. Although the acquisition of citizenship by resident aliens has never been automatic, neither has any resident alien ever been under compulsion to apply for naturalization. Instead, Congress has established the privilege of naturalization, available only to those who satisfy prescribed requirements.

Basic Requirements

The purpose of having major requirements for naturalization is to ensure identification with the national community. The process of naturalization thus tests whether an applicant understands and adopts our historic principles of government and is worthy to be accepted as a full member of our society.

Applicants must also meet requirements for good moral character, continuous residence and physical presence in the United States.

Naturalization Ceremony

If his or her application is approved, a naturalization applicant will go through a ceremony in which he or she takes an oath and receives a certificate of naturalization. At the end of the ceremony, applications for U.S. passports are typically accepted for processing.

Contact Our Offices For Dependable And Expert Assistance

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert P. Gaffney have over 30 years of experience and expertise in all immigration matters. From our San Francisco offices, we provide personalized guidance to clients all around the world.

Call our office in California at 415-503-9653 or contact our firm online to arrange a consultation with one of our skilled lawyers.