Question

Describe the method to acquire citizenship

Answer 1

Step One: Find Out Whether You Are Eligible

The first question is whether you have a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence). With very few exceptions, you must obtain a green card before you become eligible to apply for citizenship. So if you haven't yet reached this point, learn about your eligibility by reading "Eligibility for a U.S. Green Card."

As a lawful permanent resident, you must meet additional requirements in order to be eligible for U.S. citizenship. These concern the length of time you've spent in the U.S. as a green card holder, your good moral character, your ability to pass a test in English, and on U.S. history and government, and more. To check on whether you are eligible, see "Who is Eligible to Become a Naturalized U.S. Citizen?"

Step Two: Overcome Barriers to Your Ineligibility

You may discover that you are not eligible to become a citizen just now. Perhaps you can't show good moral character because you committed a minor crime (though not a major enough one to make you deportable). Or perhaps you broke the continuity of your residence by spending too long outside the United States. It may be that simply waiting longer will make you eligible for citizenship, or you may need to take other steps to make you eligible. Consult an immigration attorney for a full analysis.

See our article, "On What Grounds Can I Be Denied U.S. Citizenship?", for common reasons your citizenship would be denied.

Answer 2

 to Jus Sanguinis, a child acquires the citizenship of parents irrespective of the place of birth, e.g., child born of Indian parents is an Indian citizen whether it is born on Indian soil or abroad. The practice of Jus Sanguinis was very popular in ancient times.

Even now, it is observed by most of the states in the world. This practice is natural as well as logical. It is exclusively observed in Germany, Italy, Sweden, Norway etc.

Jus Soly:

According to this practice, citizenship is determined by the place of birth and not by parentage. This practice is now not popular. It was, of course, popular in the middle ages when citizenship was asso­ciated with land. At present, however, this practice is exclusively ob­served in Argentina.

In England, U.S.A. and France, both the above practices are em­ployed simultaneously. Observance of both the practices sometimes gives rise to duplication of citizenship. A child born of English parents in America, for example, becomes the citizen of America according to the practice of Jus Soli.

The same child becomes a citizen of England also according to the practice of Jus Sanguinis. The problem is solved by giving an option to the child to accept the citizenship of either state it likes when it comes of age.

Naturalization:

Citizenship can also be acquired through naturalization. According to this method, an alien can become a citizen after fulfilling certain conditions. Though these conditions vary from state to state, yet some of the general principles which are observed may be summed up as follows:

1. Residence:

A certain period of residence in the state is essential before an alien can be granted citizenship. This period varies from state to state.In England and U.S.A. this period is 5 years. In France, it is 10 years.

2. Oath of Allegiance:

An alien must take an oath of allegiance before he can become a citizen of another state.

3. Purchase of Real Estate:

An alien, who buys real estate in a foreign land, can get the rights of citizenship if he so desires.

4. Service (Civil or Military):

An alien my be given rights of citizenship if he renders meritorious service in another state.

5. Marriage:

Women acquire the citizenship of their alien husbands e.g., an English lady will acquire the citizenship of India if she marries an Indian.

The condition of marriage in Japan, however, is quite different. Japanese women do not lose their citizenship even if they marry alien husbands. The alien husband, on the other hand,