12 USCIS-PM A.1
The United States has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all parts of the world. The United States values the contributions of immigrants who continue to enrich this country and preserve its legacy as a land of freedom and opportunity. USCIS is proud of its role in maintaining our country’s tradition as a nation of immigrants and will administer immigration and naturalization benefits with integrity.
U.S. citizenship is a unique bond that unites people around civic ideals and a belief in the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. The promise of citizenship is grounded in the fundamental value that all persons are created equal and serves as a unifying identity to allow persons of all backgrounds, whether native or foreign-born, to have an equal stake in the future of the United States.
This volume of the USCIS Policy Manual explains the laws and policies that govern U.S. citizenship and naturalization.
USCIS administers citizenship and naturalization law and policy by:
Accordingly, USCIS reviews benefit request for citizenship and naturalization to determine whether:
Volume 12, Citizenship and Naturalization, contains detailed guidance on the requirements for citizenship and naturalization.
Volume 5, Adoptions, Part F, Citizenship for Adopted Children, clarifies how citizenship provisions apply to adopted children.
| Volume 12 Parts | Guidance | |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | Citizenship and Naturalization Policies and Procedures | General policies and procedures relating to citizenship and naturalization |
| Part B | Naturalization Examination | Naturalization examination, to include security checks, interview and eligibility review |
| Part C | Accommodations | Accommodations and modifications that USCIS may provide in the naturalization process |
| Part D | General Naturalization Requirements | General naturalization requirements that apply to most lawful permanent residents |
| Part E | English and Civics Testing and Exceptions | Testing for educational requirements for naturalization |
| Part F | Good Moral Character | Good moral character for naturalization and the related permanent and conditional bars |
| Part G | Spouses of U.S. Citizens | Spouses of U.S. citizens who reside in the United States or abroad |
| Part H | Children of U.S. Citizens | Children of U.S. citizens who may have acquired or derived citizenship stateside or abroad |
| Part I | Military Members and their Families | Provisions based on military service for members of the military and their families |
| Part J | Oath of Allegiance | Oath of Allegiance for naturalization, to include modifications and waivers |
| Part K | Certificates of Citizenship and Naturalization | Issuance and replacement of Certificates of Citizenship and Certificates of Naturalization |
| Part L | Revocation of Naturalization | General procedures for revocation of naturalization (denaturalization) |
Upon the adoption of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, the first U.S. citizens were granted citizenship status retroactively as of 1776. Neither an application for citizenship, nor the taking of an Oath of Allegiance was required at that time.[1] Persons only needed to remain in the United States at the close of the war and the time of independence to show that they owed their allegiance to the new Government and accepted its protection.
The following key legislative acts provide a basic historical background for the evolution of the general eligibility requirements for naturalization as set forth in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
| Act | Statutory Provisions |
|---|---|
| Naturalization Act of 1790 | Established uniform rule of naturalization and oath of allegianceEstablished two year residency requirement for naturalizationRequired good moral character of all applicants |
| Naturalization Act of 1798 | Permitted deportation of aliens considered dangerousIncreased residency requirements from 2 years to 14 years |
| Naturalization Act of 1802 | Reduced residency requirement from 14 years to 5 years |
| Naturalization Act of 1891 | Rendered polygamists, persons suffering from contagious disease and persons convicted of a “misdemeanor involving moral turpitude” ineligible for naturalization. |
| Naturalization Act of 1906 | Standardized naturalization proceduresRequired knowledge of English language for citizenshipEstablished the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization |
| The Alien Registration Act of 1940 | Required the registration and fingerprinting of all aliens in the United States over the age of 14 years |
[^ 1] See Frank G. Franklin, The Legislative History of Naturalization in the United States; From the Revolutionary War to 1861 (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1906).