How much do you know about being an American citizen?

FALSEThe 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, is the first to explain that a person born or naturalized in the United States is a U.S. citizen.

TRUENational citizenship extends to citizens of states as well. (You can’t be a citizen of the U.S. and be denied citizenship in one of it’s 50 states)

FALSENaturalized citizens go through a legal process (called naturalization) to become citizens. A citizen born in the United States is called a natural born citizen.

FALSEEntire populations can be granted citizenship and be naturalized through the signing of treaties or statutes

TRUEOnce the treaty was signed, these areas became part of the United States and the residents in this area gained citizenship

FALSEIn order to qualify for the naturalization, an individual•Must be 18 years old•Be a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.•Been in the U.S. for at least 5 years•Have good moral character•Be committed to the U.S. constitution•Be able to read, write, speak and understand basic English language•Take an Oath of Allegiance

FALSEThe U.S. recognizes that any person born in the country is a citizen, even if that person also has citizenship elsewhere. Also, the U.S. recognizes that a child born in another country to American citizens is also an American citizen (regardless if that child gains citizenship in that country too). This is dual national citizenship

TRUEThe Supreme Court ruled so in the case Trop v. Dulles, 1958. However, an individual may voluntarily give up their U.S. citizenship in a variety of ways:•Willingly become a naturalized citizen of another country•Swearing allegiance to another country•Serving in the armed forces of another country•Working for another country’s government•Formally renouncing citizenship•Being convicted of treason against the U.S.

FALSEThe Bill of Rights and various Amendments protect of rights of “all people” and doesn’t specify citizens. All people in the U.S. are protected.

FALSEOnly the President of the United States must be a natural born citizen. Most other positions and offices are open to naturalized citizens too.

FALSEYou have to be 18 to vote, regardless of citizenship status

People living in territories of the United States have U.S. citizenship but they do not vote in national elections and are not represented in Congress

Some states also prohibit anyone who has been convicted of a felony crime from participating in elections

TRUE

FALSESome states have different voting guidelines and for parts of the 1700’s and 1800’s some aliens were allowed to vote.

TRUEAs long as the alien is employed by an employer that follows payroll and tax code laws, aliens pay state and federal taxes.