Derivative citizenship and birthright differ how?

• A. Derivative citizenship is acquired through a parent’s naturalization; birthright citizenship is automatic by birth in the United States.
• B. Derivative citizenship is automatic by birth; birthright requires parent naturalization.
• C. Derivative citizenship is granted only to those born abroad.
• D. There is no difference between the two.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how citizenship is obtained: either by birth in the United States (birthright) or through a parent’s naturalization (derivative citizenship). Birthright citizenship is automatic for someone born on U.S. soil, so their citizenship is established at birth. Derivative citizenship happens when a parent becomes a naturalized U.S. citizen and, if the child meets certain conditions (typically under 18, a lawful permanent resident, and in the legal custody of the citizen parent), the child automatically becomes a citizen as a result of the parent's naturalization. So derivative citizenship is tied to the parent’s naturalization, not to being born in the U.S., making the stated option the correct one. The other ideas—derivative citizenship being automatic by birth, birthright requiring parent naturalization, or there being no difference—don’t fit the actual rules.