What are the different paths to US citizenship?

US citizenship can either be acquired by birth or application. Individuals born in the United States, or who have at least one parent who is a US citizen, automatically become US citizens upon birth. Those born in US territories or born abroad to two US citizen parents also qualify for US citizenship at birth. Many individuals can become citizens through the process of naturalization. To become a naturalized US citizen, an applicant must have legally entered the US, lived in the US for at least five years, or three years if they are married to a US citizen. During this period of time, the applicant must maintain good moral character and must be able to understand and pass a written English language test. Applicants must also agree to abide by all US laws and take an oath to support and defend the US Constitution. Individuals serving in the US military may be eligible for expedited naturalization. This pathway allows for a shorter residency requirement of 1-5 years, depending on the length of the applicant’s service. They must also have served honorably. The final pathway to US citizenship is through family ties. Immediate relatives of US citizens can become citizens without having to meet the normal requirements of naturalization. This includes individuals who are the spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent of a US citizen. Ultimately, there are three main pathways to acquiring US citizenship: by birth, naturalization, and family ties. All of these options are available to individuals living in North Carolina.

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Existen varios caminos para obtener la ciudadanía estadounidense. El camino más común es obtener la residencia permanente. Esta se puede obtener a través del matrimonio con un ciudadano estadounidense, patrocinado por un patrocinador ciudadano o residente permanente, una visa de trabajo, una petición de familia, o una petición de refugiado o asilo. Una vez que se obtiene la residencia permanente, los ciudadanos pueden solicitar la ciudadanía después de un periodo específico de tiempo. Otra forma de obtener la ciudadanía estadounidense es a través de un estatus de no inmigrante, como un estudiante, un trabajador temporal, un turista, o un visitante por negocios. Además, hay programas especiales como el Programa de Ciudadanía por Nacimiento para hijos de padres estadounidenses nacidos fuera de los Estados Unidos. Finalmente, el último camino para obtener la ciudadanía estadounidense es a través de la nacionalidad por nacimiento, donde uno es considerado ciudadano de los Estados Unidos si nace en los Estados Unidos. Todos estos caminos llevan a la ciudadanía estadounidense, que es un privilegio valorado y deseado para muchas personas.

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What are the different paths to US citizenship?

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