CITIZENSHIP

A citizen of the United States is a person born in the United States or they can be also foreign born of U.S. citizen parents. The Congress of the United States is responsible for enacting the laws that determine how citizenship is passed on by a U.S. citizen parent or parents. The laws are contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act.

NATURALIZATION

A person that is not a U.S. citizen can apply to become a U.S. citizen by a process called “Naturalization”. The applicant must meet certain requirements that are contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act. The general requirements include:

• a period of continuous residence and physical presence in the United States

• residence in a particular state prior to filing

• a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government

• good moral character

• believe and support the principles of    the U.S. constitution

All Naturalization applicants must also take an oath of allegiance to the United States. The other naturalization requirements may be modified or waived for certain applicants as stated in the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Department of Justice Deputy Assistant Attorney General finds that Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requirement; that a legal guardian or other proxy be able to represent a mentally disabled applicant  during  naturalization proceedings.

USCIS Implements Revised N-600 & New N-600K Forms
The USCIS announces implementation of the revised N-600 and the new N-600K which will replace the previous edition of N-600, and the N-643, and N-600/N-643 Supplement A, which has been withdrawn. Effective 10/31/03, only the revised N-600 and the new N-660K will be accepted.

Derivative Citizenship for Children Born Out of Wedlock
A 9/26/03 USCIS memo interprets Section 320 and 322 to indicate that children born out of wedlock and not legitimized are eligible for derivative citizenship when the mother becomes a naturalized citizen.