CivicsChapter 3-The Meaning of Citizenship

What is civics anyway?

• The study of what it means to be an American citizen.

• A citizen is a person with certain rights and responsibilities under a government

Who Are U.S. Citizens?

• Three ways:1.You can gain citizenship by birth or a

special naturalization process2.You are a citizen if one or both of your

parents are citizens3.You are a citizen even if you are born

somewhere else and your parents are citizens

Naturalization

• A person without U.S. citizenship that has gone through the process of becoming a citizen

Immigrants

• People who came from other lands• The first immigrants to America where

the Native Americans

U.S. Immigration Policy

• Today there is a quota on immigration which means only a certain number of people are permitted to enter

• In the early 1800’s, the U.S. had an “open door” policy

Immigration Today

• The United States admits approximately 900,000 legal immigrants every year, and annual immigration is swelled by another 300,000 people who illegally cross the borders of the United States.

• The INS estimates that about 5 million illegal aliens currently reside in the United States.

Who Are Aliens?

• People in the U.S. who are citizens of other countries.• Some are here to visit, work, or go to school; but are expected

to return home.• They must obey the laws while they are here.• They cannot vote or hold a government office while here.• Cannot attend public school• Have to register with the INS (Immigration and Naturalization

Service)

NOT THESE ALIENS!

Illegal Aliens

• Nearly ½ of all illegal aliens come from Mexico.

• WHY?• Often work for low

wages and move around a lot

• If found, they can be deported (sent back to their home country).

Who Can Become A Citizen?

• Legal permanent resident for 5 years or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen

• Lived in the U.S. for at least 2 ½ years or 1 ½ if married to a U.S. citizen

• Lived for more than 3 months in the state where you apply for citizenship

• 18 years or older• Have good moral character

The Office of the Citizen

• “of the people, by the people, and for the people” –Abraham Lincoln

• In other words, we are based on “the consent of the governed”

• Representatives are elected to speak and act for fellow citizens in our government

Advantages Of Becoming A Citizen

• Right to vote• Run for public office• Apply for jobs with the federal government• File to legally bring immediate family

members to live in the U.S.• Process of reuniting family goes much faster• Children under the age of 18 automatically

become citizens when their parent(s) becomes a citizen

• Receive full Social Security benefits• Can live outside of U.S. without losing

citizenship

Disadvantages Of Becoming A Citizen

• Must take an oath of allegiance and renounce loyalty to native country

• Property ownership in native country may be a problem

• Need a work permit to work in native country

• Must pass basic English and U.S. government/history tests

• May lose right to vote in native country• May lose citizenship in native country

Citizens and losing citizenship

• You can decide to give it up• You can have it taken away• You can remain a citizen for life

From Alien to Citizenship

• Petition for naturalization (file some paperwork) Look at chart on page 57

• Take an examination• Prove they can read, write, and speak

English• Have a final hearing, where a judge swears

them in• Naturalized citizens have all the rights and

duties of a citizen by birth EXCEPT the right to be President or Vice President.

Rights of a citizen

• The right to vote and hold public office• The right to say what you think in

speech or writing• The right to practice your own religion• The right to have a fair trial

• When can rights be denied?• Let’s look at page 60-Korematsu v. US

Duties of a good citizen

• YOU MUST• Obey the laws• Defend the nation if drafted• Serve on a jury or as a witness in court• Pay your taxes• Attend school

Responsibilities (voluntary)

• We should contribute toward the common good of our society-we should act in ways that protect the rights of ourselves and others and make our society a desirable place to live

• Vote and vote wisely• Hold office or help support those who hold

office, influence those who hold office• Participate in elections• Serve your community