What is Rick's citizenship status, who was born out of wedlock to a USC father?

• A. USC since he was legitimated
• B. Alien as he was not born in the U.S.
• C. USC due to father’s residence requirement
• D. Alien because he did not reside in the U.S.

Answer: (A)

Rick's citizenship status is correctly identified as U.S. citizen since he was legitimated. In U.S. law, a child born out of wedlock can acquire U.S. citizenship if the father is a U.S. citizen and has taken steps to legitimate the child. Legitimation is a legal process that recognizes the child officially and grants them the same rights as a child born within a marriage.

In this context, Rick's citizenship stems from his father’s U.S. citizenship status and the fact that he was later legitimized, which means Rick is recognized as a citizen despite the circumstances of his birth. This legal framework allows children who are legitimated to derive citizenship status from their parents, regardless of their birth situation.

The other potential options touch on elements of residency and birth location, but Rick's citizenship status has already been established based on legitimation and his father’s citizenship. Hence, those alternatives do not apply in this case.