What does "naturalized" refer to in the context of U.S. citizenship?

Naturalization refers to the process by which a non-citizen acquires U.S. citizenship after birth. This process typically involves meeting certain eligibility requirements, such as demonstrating a commitment to the principles of the Constitution, passing a citizenship test, and taking an oath of allegiance. It is an important way for individuals born outside the United States to become full citizens and participate equally in the civic life of the country, including voting and holding public office.

The other options describe different aspects of citizenship or residency. Being born in the U.S. refers to a person who is a citizen by birthright, while having dual citizenship means a person could hold citizenship in two countries simultaneously, which is a separate concept from naturalization. Lastly, being a permanent resident indicates someone who has been granted permission to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely but has not yet gone through the naturalization process to become a citizen.