What is it Called When Born in a Foreign Country but Raised in the USA and Become an American Citizen?

When an individual is born in a foreign country but raised in the United States and eventually becomes a U.S. citizen, they are referred to as a naturalized citizen if they completed the formal process of obtaining citizenship after being a permanent resident. This situation can also be described as first-generation American if the individual’s parents are immigrants. There are additional terms such as citizenship by birth or citizenship by descent when a person is born to American parents abroad.

Understanding U.S. Birthright Citizenship

In the United States, the right to citizenship is not exclusively reserved for those born to U.S. citizen parents. According to the U.S. Constitution and the 14th Amendment, anyone born within the jurisdiction of the United States, including its territories, is considered a natural-born citizen. This status is what is commonly referred to as U.S. citizenship by birth or citizenship by birthright.

Individuals who are born to U.S. citizen parents in a foreign country are automatically considered U.S. citizens by law. However, in the case of those whose parents are foreign citizens, certain legal and administrative processes must be followed to gain U.S. citizenship. These individuals are often referred to as naturalized citizens after completing the naturalization process.

When Citizenship is Not by Birth

There are instances where individuals do not inherit U.S. citizenship through birth. For example, if neither of the parents is a U.S. citizen at the time of the individual’s birth, and they later follow the legal process to become a citizen, they are referred to as a naturalized citizen. The process of becoming a naturalized citizen involves meeting specific requirements and completing an application process.

Key Differences in Citizenship Scenarios

Knowing the difference between various types of U.S. citizenship is crucial when discussing these individuals. Here are the key distinctions:

Citizenship by birth (birthright citizenship): Individuals who are born within the United States or its territories, or to U.S. citizen parents abroad, are considered U.S. citizens by birth. Naturalization: Individuals who are not born U.S. citizens but meet eligibility requirements and complete the procedural process are referred to as naturalized citizens. Citizenship by descent (or birth to foreign parents): This refers to an individual who is born to citizen parents abroad and retains U.S. citizenship by descent.

Legal Considerations and Birth Tourism

It’s worth noting that some countries, including the United States, have laws that consider certain behaviors such as birth tourism as a concerning practice. Birth tourism refers to pregnant foreign nationals traveling to the United States specifically to give birth with the intention of obtaining U.S. citizenship for their child. This can be seen as an abuse of the laws regarding U.S. citizenship by birthright.

Those involved in such practices might not be considered true citizens, as their intention could be to exploit the system for personal benefit. In such cases, the term birth tourist or birthright citizenship for birth tourism may be used, highlighting the distinction between genuine birthright citizens and those born via birth tourism.

Conclusion

There are various ways to become a U.S. citizen, and understanding the terminology is essential. Whether you are born a U.S. citizen by birthright, a naturalized citizen, or a first-generation American, each scenario carries a unique legal and historical significance. If you are seeking to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, it is important to follow the outlined legal procedures to ensure a legitimate and recognized citizenship status.