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 actionDHS and Department of Justice Announce Move to Revoke U.S. Citizenship from 10 Naturalized Criminals Including Child Molesters, Scammers, and Drug Dealers
- Published USCISDHS and Department of Justice Announce Move to Revoke U.S. Citizenship from 10 Naturalized Criminals Including Child Molesters, Scammers, and Drug Dealers
- Published USCISUSCIS and DOJ Take Steps to Denaturalize 12 Individuals for Concealing Terrorist Support, War Crimes, Espionage, Sexual Abuse, and More
- Published USCISJustice Department Moves to Strip U.S. Citizenship from 17 Naturalized Sex Offenders, Fraudsters, Drug Dealers, and More
All updates · newest first
Full update feed
Every update from this category in chronological order, excluding items already shown above.
- USCIS Celebrates Independence Day 2025 Welcoming Those Who Earned Citizenship the Right WayUSCISPos
- Convicted Sex Offender in North Carolina Indicted for Naturalization FraudUSCISNeu
- Nigerian-Born Man Previously Convicted in an $80 Million Fraud Case Indicted on New Charges of Naturalization FraudUSCISNeu
- Update to Policy on Disability Exceptions to Naturalization RequirementsUSCISNeu
- President Trump Tells Citizens to ‘Fiercely Guard’ American Way of Life in New Naturalization Ceremony MessageUSCISNeu
- Jamaican Citizen Arrested for Making a False Claim of Citizenship to Register to Vote in the 2024 Presidential Primary ElectionUSCISNeg
- USCIS Assists in Investigation of Cuban National Indicted on Charges Related to Credit Card “Skimming” and Lying on a Naturalization ApplicationUSCISNeg
- USCIS Assists in HSI Investigation of Convicted Sex Offender Charged with Naturalization FraudUSCISNeu
- USCIS Assists in Investigation of Postal Worker Found Guilty of Stealing Over $1.6 Million in Checks from the U.S. Mail and Lying to Obtain CitizenshipUSCISNeu
- New Jersey Man Indicted for Lying About ISIS Ties on U.S. Citizenship ApplicationUSCISPos