What is a requirement for a person to become a naturalized US citizen?

To become a naturalized U.S. citizen, one of the primary requirements is that the individual must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence by the U.S. government. This means that the person must hold a green card (lawful permanent resident status) before they can apply for citizenship. This requirement is fundamental because naturalization is a process specifically for those who have already established a legal right to live permanently in the United States.

The other options reflect misunderstandings of the naturalization process. Achieving a college degree is not a prerequisite; rather, the ability to demonstrate basic English proficiency and knowledge of U.S. history and government is required. While living in the U.S. for a specified period (usually five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen) is a requirement, it is contingent upon already being a permanent resident. Likewise, being born in an allied country has no bearing on citizenship eligibility, as citizenship requirements are standardized and do not favor applicants based on their country of origin.