Naturalisation

In general, there are two ways to become and be a citizen. The first is to acquire citizenship through ius sanguinis (through familial relations) or through ius terris (through birth in a country such as the United States). Alternatively, for those who may not fit into either of these categories, naturalisation is possible. This is often the case for migrants who enter a new country where citizenship is not passed through previous generations of family or where being born in the country is not an option. Thus, naturalisation and migration control are tightly linked. This entry explores, first, naturalisation within the context of citizenship becoming further culturalized as a means of protection for host countries. Second, it also discusses the ‘skilling’ of citizenship and immigration policy through the use of points-based systems to judge competencies and human capital suited to the demands of the knowledge-based economy and communitarian social cohesion. Third, this contribution analyses the ‘securitising’ of citizenship, to stem mobility and counter extremism by demanding adhesion to ‘national values’. Future research should go beyond the well-known cases in Europe and North America.