Children born in the United State or one of its territories will receive American citizenship automatically, even if the parents are citizens of another country. It is known as “birthright citizenship” and currently protected by the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”. Sometimes children born outside of the U.S. may also become U.S. citizens but certain procedures must be followed timely.