Overview
Naturalization and birthright citizenship
U.S. citizenship is acquired by birth (on U.S. soil or through a citizen parent) or through naturalization. Naturalization typically requires 3 to 5 years as a permanent resident, continuous physical presence, and passing civics and English tests.
Most green card holders become eligible to naturalize after 5 years of continuous permanent residence (3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen). You must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least half that period and demonstrate good moral character.
The naturalization process involves an N-400 application, biometrics appointment, and an interview with a USCIS officer where you take an English and civics test (100 questions, 10 asked, 6 correct required). You then attend an oath ceremony.
Children born on U.S. soil generally acquire citizenship automatically (14th Amendment). Children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents may acquire citizenship at birth under INA § 301 or § 309 depending on the parent's prior residency history.
Visa types in this category
High-signal items · last 90 days
What to watch
Ranked by impact: rule changes, fee updates, open comment periods, executive actions, and processing shifts. Not just newest: most consequential.
- Published DHSExecutive actionTrump Administration Suspends Birth Tourism Loophole Threatening National Security
- Published USCISExecutive actionJustice Department Moves to Strip Citizenship from 40 Criminals in Largest Single-Period Filing Under the Trump Administration
- Published Fed. RegisterOpen for commentsAgency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Free Training for Civics and Citizenship Teachers of Adults; Civics and Citizenship Toolkit
Public comments accepted through .
- Published Fed. RegisterOpen for comments60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Two (2) Passport Services Information Collections: Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America and Affidavit of Physical Presence or Residence, Parentage, and Support
Public comments accepted through .
- Published Fed. RegisterOpen for commentsAgency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Certificate of Citizenship
- Published Fed. RegisterOpen for commentsAgency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Application To Preserve Residence for Naturalization
Public comments accepted through .
- Published Fed. RegisterOpen for commentsAgency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Naturalization
Public comments accepted through .
- Published Fed. RegisterOpen for commentsAgency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings Under Section 336
Public comments accepted through .
All updates · newest first
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Every update from this category in chronological order, excluding items already shown above.
- Naturalized U.S. Citizen Indicted for Lying to Obtain U.S. Citizenship After Committing FeloniesUSCISNeg
- Denaturalization Case Filed Against Man Who Procured U.S. Citizenship Under False IdentityUSCISNeu
- Justice Department Files Record 25 Denaturalization Cases Against Naturalized Criminals Including Attempted Murderers, Spousal Abusers, and Child Sex OffendersUSCISNeu
- Court issues Stay: Permits participation of Non-Governmental Organizations at Administrative Naturalization CeremoniesUSCISPos
- DHS and Department of Justice Announce Move to Revoke U.S. Citizenship from 10 Naturalized Criminals Including Child Molesters, Scammers, and Drug DealersUSCISNeg
- DHS and Department of Justice Announce Move to Revoke U.S. Citizenship from 10 Naturalized Criminals Including Child Molesters, Scammers, and Drug DealersDHSNeu
- Justice Department Moves to Strip U.S. Citizenship from 17 Naturalized Sex Offenders, Fraudsters, Drug Dealers, and MoreUSCISNeu
- USCIS and DOJ Take Steps to Denaturalize 12 Individuals for Concealing Terrorist Support, War Crimes, Espionage, Sexual Abuse, and MoreUSCISNeg