Only a few hours after taking office as president of the United States, Donald Trump signed a decree that would deny citizenship to immigrant and foreign children born in the country through birthright citizenship.
The measure, which provoked reactions from various courts to temporarily block the decree, has raised doubts about how American citizenship can be acquired by disregarding a person's birth on American territory for a foreign national.
Despite appearing to be the most feasible way to achieve such status, there are other ways to obtain this naturalization automatically.
How to obtain American naturalization automatically?
According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), through their portal, there are various processes to obtain this passport, with residing in the United States for five years, with the Green Card, being one of the most commonly used.
However, this type of naturalization, as indicated by the USCIS, requires years of residency in the American country, in addition to requiring this document that allows foreigners to live and work legally in the United States.
Despite the above, there are 3 main methods by which citizenship can be obtained automatically.
By birth abroad
According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, if an American couple has a child outside the country, the child will automatically receive American citizenship due to their parents' status.
Despite the above, it is important to note that this will be achieved if one or both parents are American citizens, in addition to meeting other requirements such as having resided in the country in previous years.
By naturalization of minors
The USCIS also mentions that American citizenship can be granted to minors under 18 who meet the following requirements:
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One parent is an American citizen
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Resides under the physical and legal custody of the parent who has such citizenship.
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Has the Green Card, indicating legal permanent residence.
By adoption of minors
In the same information provided by USCIS, international adoption can also grant American citizenship automatically. This can be achieved when a foreign child is legally adopted by citizens of the United States. In order to do this, the parents must meet the requirements established by the USCIS from start to finish.
The birthright citizenship, according to the Law Library of Congress, is part of more than 30 countries around the world. It is also part of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
*This article has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence