This paper examines the U.S. naturalization process, identifying the key eligibility requirements for permanent residents seeking citizenship, including residency duration, English proficiency, civics knowledge, tax compliance, and moral character standards. The paper evaluates what these requirements reveal about the qualities of a good citizen and ranks the five most important criteria. It also analyzes the Oath of Allegiance — its promises, its strengths, and its limitations — before proposing revisions to make the naturalization process more equitable, including replacing military-service preferences with a broader point-based system that recognizes diverse forms of civic contribution.
The paper uses a structured compare-and-evaluate approach: it first presents existing policy neutrally, then applies a normative lens to rank and critique individual requirements, and finally synthesizes those critiques into a coherent reform proposal. This technique — describe, evaluate, revise — is effective for policy analysis assignments at the undergraduate level.
The paper is organized into three main parts. Part A covers eligibility categories and evaluates the five most important requirements. Part B analyzes the Oath of Allegiance, examining both its merits and shortcomings. Part C proposes specific revisions, including broadening the definition of sacrifice in the Oath and replacing tiered residency waiting periods with a point-based system. References follow MLA format.
Foreign citizens who have been permanent residents for five years or longer can apply to become naturalized citizens of the United States (U.S. Department of Homeland Security [U.S. DHS], "Citizenship through Naturalization"). For permanent residents who are married to an American citizen, the waiting period is reduced to three years. Permanent residents serving in the military can apply to become naturalized citizens after one year of service and, if already discharged, must have separated honorably. This one-year waiting period can be waived if service occurs during a period of hostilities. Anyone born outside the United States may also apply for citizenship if one parent is a U.S. citizen.
The five-year residency requirement, along with the 30-month continuous physical presence required prior to the application, demands a certain level of commitment to building a life in the United States. The American civics and English language requirements demonstrate an applicant's willingness to invest in citizenship. Permanent residents should also have been paying federal, state, and local taxes when required and have registered for Selective Service, which demonstrates a willingness to share the burden of citizenship. The good moral character requirement, as defined by the U.S. Constitution, provides a method for screening out criminals and those seeking to harm the United States.
1. The five-year residency and physical presence requirements would tend to eliminate applicants who are unwilling or incapable of committing to a life in the United States. This is important because becoming an engaged American citizen requires paying attention to current events and voicing an opinion through voting, signing petitions, and participating in other forms of civic duty. Performing these civic duties would be difficult, if not impossible, when residing for extended periods outside the country.
2. Registering for Selective Service is probably one of the more dramatic declarations of commitment to American citizenship, because it demonstrates a willingness to give one's life in service to one's country.
3. Paying taxes while a permanent resident likely represents a substantial commitment to American citizenship for many immigrants, especially those who are also burdened with financially supporting family members left behind in their home country.
4. Screening applicants for criminal histories would disqualify individuals evading an arrest warrant in their home country or avoiding prosecution and imprisonment. There is also a sense of fair play that demands such screening, if one assumes that the societies from which these individuals came are, to some extent, responsible for contributing to their criminal behavior.
5. A minimum age of 18 is important because changing one's citizenship is not a decision that should be taken lightly. U.S. citizens can vote and be called to serve in the military at the age of 18, making this an appropriate minimum age for naturalization as well.
You’re 45% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 3 sections.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.