Citizenship

What is citizenship/citizens??

A member of a political community with rights and responsibilities

Rights of CitizensResponsibilities of

Citizens

Freedom of speech, religion, bare arms, etc.

Right to own property

Freedom from discrimination

Equality under the law

Right to vote

Jury dutyPay taxesObey lawsRegister for

selective serviceRegister to voteTolerate othersBe educated!!

Rights vs. Responsibilities

14th Amendment

Defined citizenship in the United 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. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.”

Guaranteed that people of ALL races born in the U.S. and subject to its government are citizens

Sources of Citizenship

#1: Citizenship by the “Law of the Land”

AKA jus soli Citizenship is granted to nearly all people

born in the United States or United States territories

Most common form of citizenshipChildren born to immigrant parents or to

foreigners just “visiting” the United States WOULD BE citizens

Some Exceptions1) If a foreign diplomat had a child in the United States,

their child WOULD NOT be a citizen

#2: Citizenship by Birth to an American Parent

AKA jus sanguinis– “law of the blood”Sometimes complicatedIf a child was born in a foreign nation and

BOTH parents are United States citizens, the child is a citizen ONLY IF One of the parents must have been a legal resident of

the United States at some point in their livesIF only ONE parent is an American citizen,

that parent must have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years (2 of those years had to be after the age of 14).

#3: Naturalization

The process that allows immigrants to become American citizens

Qualifications 1) Applicants must have entered the U.S. legally by

obtaining a VISA 2) Must be of good moral character 3) Ability to read, write and speak English 4) Must declare their support of the principles of the

American government 5) Must show the basic knowledge of American

History & Government

#3: Naturalization

To apply for citizenship, you must…..

Be 18 years oldLived in the United States lawfully for at least

5 years

*If married to a U.S. citizen, only 3 years residency is required*

#3: Naturalization

Steps to Naturalization1) Declaration of Intent

2) Petition for citizenship3) Investigation

4) Oath of Allegiance

Declaration of Intent

Petition for Citizenship

Investigation

Fingerprinted, asked questions about their moral character, question witnesses about applicant, interviewed.

English & Civics test

Oath of Allegiance

A judge of the federal district court gives the oath of allegiance to the applicant

Naturalization

Naturalized citizens MAY NEVER be the President or Vice-President

Dual Citizenship

A person is a citizen of two countries at the same time Example: Two U.S. citizens have a child in a foreign

country. The child would be a U.S. citizen as BOTH parents are U.S. citizens and also a citizen by birth in the country they were born in.

Losing Citizenship

Only the federal government can both grant and take away citizenship

3 ways to lose citizenship Expatriation: giving up one’s citizenship by leaving

one’s native country to live in a foreign country A person who becomes a naturalized citizen in another

country automatically loses their U.S. citizenship

Losing Citizenship

Punishment for a crime When convicted of certain federal crimes such as

treason, rebellion & attempts to overthrow the government through violent means

Losing Citizenship

Denaturalization Loss of citizenship if fraud or deception is detected

during the naturalization process

Immigrants/Aliens

AKA “aliens” A person who lives in one country where he or she is

not a citizen Not all immigrants intend to become citizens (work,

school, etc. only)

Alien Classifications

Resident alien: person from a foreign nation who has established a permanent residence in the U.S. Can stay in the U.S. as long as they wish without

becoming a citizenNon-Resident Alien: person from a foreign

country who expects to stay in the United States for a short period of time (media reporter)

Alien Classifications

Enemy Alien: citizen of a nation with which the United States is at war

Refugee: people fleeing to escape persecution or danger in their own country

Illegal Alien: person who comes to the U.S. without a legal permit Illegally cross the border (Mexico/Canada, etc.)