Naturalization and Citizenship

The Constitution and laws of the United States give many rights to both citizens and non-citizens living in the United States. However, some rights are only for citizens, such as:

• Jury duty
• Eligibility for political office
• Unrestricted travel rights
• Voting rights
• Protection from deportation (by contrast, green card holders can be deported)
• Shorter waiting times if applying for relatives abroad
• Fewer restrictions on estate taxes
• Full social security benefits if retiring abroad (green card holders only eligible for 50% benefits)
• Eligibility for government jobs
• In certain cases, automatic acquisition of derivative citizenship for children under 18, without a separate application

Responsibilities

To become a U.S. citizen you must take the Oath of Allegiance. The Oath includes several promises you make when you become a U.S. citizen, including promises to:

• Give up all prior allegiance to any other nation or sovereignty; 

• Swear allegiance to the United States;

• Support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States; and

• Serve the country when required.