subject: Learn About Applying For United States Citizenship For Yourself [print this page] To be seen as a legal resident in the US, you need to have a status known as United States citizenship. This legal term does not obligate you in performing any patriotic actions, like getting involved in politics or attending civic gatherings - it merely points out that you are lawfully permitted to be in the country and that you are eligible for its rights, benefits and duties.
There are two general methods that an individual may make use of to become a legal resident. You are automatically made legal when you are born there, because the US recognizes you in this way under the term "birthright citizen." For those people who do not have legal residence as their birthright, they may be able to perform certain naturalization activities to become recognized.
There are many benefits that you receive when you become a legal member of the nation, such as the rights to vote in the national presidential elections, being protected by the law if you have to stand trial, being legally permitted to live as well as work in the country, and being able to make use of many services that are provided by or run by the country's government.
Health care services and health insurance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security, financial assistance or income supplementing services and a wide variety of other services are available to you via the federal government if you are a legal citizen. You are even protected abroad during your travels in the event of any legal problems, because the government may assist you at their discretion.
The "grandparent rule" is one of the various methods of naturalization that is somewhat akin to the birthright allowance. This rule is actually due to a gap in state immigration laws that allows you to claim legal status if you are able to show that a grandparent was a citizen of the US. This rule is applicable regardless of your nationality.
Amnesty is another form naturalization that has been used by many people to claim legality. The way it works is that if you have been living in the States for a certain amount of time, you may use that as a basis for claiming your right to legal citizenship. If you can't use any of the other methods, you may also be allowed to take a test that asks you questions relating to the country's democratic principles. In previous years, this test asked simple questions about the States' history, but it was changed to ensure that citizens are more aware of what it means to be an American citizen.
These methods are not the only thing you should be concerned about if you want to be recognized as a legal resident. You also need to meet various requirements, such as having a clear criminal record and having a minimal understanding of the Constitution of the country.
