Citizenship in the World Merit Badge
1. (a) Citizenship is, as defined my Merriam Webster is the quality of an individual's response to membership in a community.
A person can become a citizen of the United States by more than one way. A citizen of the United States is a native-born, foreign-born, or naturalized person who owes allegiance to the United States and who is entitled to its protection. In addition to the naturalization process, the United States recognizes the U.S. citizenship of individuals according to two fundamental principles: right of birthplace, or right of blood.
If a person is born in the United States, then that person becomes a citizen by right of birthplace, unless they are the child of a head of another state or a foreign diplomat.
If a person is born outside of the United States, and that person's parent/parents are citizens of the United States, then the child will become a citizen of the U.S. by right of blood. The US Congress decides how citizenship is passed on by a U.S. citizen parent or parents according to right of blood.
Another way to become a U.S. citizen is by the naturalization process. To become a citizen if a person is from another country they must fulfill the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The general requirements for administrative naturalization include:
• a period of continuous residence and physical presence in the United States;
• residence in a particular INS District prior to filing;
• an ability to read, write and speak English;
• a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government;
• attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution; and,
• favorable disposition toward the United States.
One can become a citizen in other countries by either becoming a citizen by right of birthplace, right of blood or naturalization, as in the United States, although ...