Final answer:
The process to apply for U.S. citizenship is naturalization, requiring eligibility criteria fulfillment and completing the N-400 form. Citizenship affords rights like voting and family immigration, but can be lost through denaturalization or renunciation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which a person can apply for citizenship in the United States is called naturalization. To be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship, a noncitizen must first meet several criteria including being at least 18 years old, having been a permanent resident for a specified period, demonstrating an ability to speak, read, and write English, displaying knowledge of U.S. history and government, and showing good moral character. Once these criteria are met, the applicant must then complete the 21-page N-400 form from the USCIS, which requires a range of personal information, residency details, and background.
There are significant opportunities that come with U.S. citizenship, such as the right to vote in federal elections, bringing family members to the U.S., and obtaining citizenship for children born abroad. However, one can lose their citizenship status through denaturalization or by voluntarily renouncing it.