People can become U.S. citizens in three main ways: 

• First, some people are citizens at birth because they are born in the United States under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment. 

• Second, people can become naturalized U.S. citizens if they apply, pass background checks, and take the citizenship test and oath. 

• Third, some people derive citizenship automatically through their U.S. citizen parent(s), if they meet special conditions set by Congress.