CHAPTER 3

The Meaning of Citizenship

What it means to be a Citizen

• Citizen: a person with certain rights and duties under a government • Born in the US• At least one of your parents was a citizen • You have been naturalized

• Become a citizen • You were under 18 when your parents became a citizen

By the numbers…• In 2009, a total of 1,130,818 people became legal permanent

residents of the US. 66.1% were sponsored by family in the US, 12.7% entered through work-based agreements, and 15.7% were granted refugee or asylum status. Almost a quarter of legal permanent residents were between the ages of 25 and 34.

The average naturalized citizen spent seven years in legal permanent resident status before completing the process.

743,715 people became naturalized US citizens in 2009. 37.2% were from Asia, 33.7% from North America, 12.1% from Europe, 8.3% from South America and 8.1% from Africa. Over half of new citizens were between the ages of 25 and 34.

Requirements for Citizenship• Be at least 18 years old• Have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years• Be of good moral character and loyal to the U.S.• Be able to read, write, speak and understand basic

English• Have basic knowledge and understanding of the history,

government structure and the Constitution of the U.S.• Be willing to take an oath of allegiance to the U.S.

The Naturalization Process: 3 steps

1. File an application. The application asks for biographical information about the person. The person has his or her fingerprints taken, and provides photographs and legal documents.

2. Take a naturalization examination. The examination tests the applicant’s knowledge of U.S. government and history. The applicant must also pass an English test.

3. Appear for a court hearing. The applicant appears before a judge and asks to become a U.S. citizen. The judge will listen to the applicant’s reasons and will decide on naturalization.

THE OFFICE OF CITIZEN

• Our government is “of the people, by the people, and for the people”

• What do you think Abraham Lincoln meant by this phrase? • We, citizens, hold the power. We

decide what our government will do and will not do

• We lend this power to elected representatives• People who are chosen to speak

and act for their fellow citizens in government

Rights of Citizens • Right to vote • Freedom of Speech • Freedom of Religion • Right to a fair trial • Right to be protected by your

government

• Duties: things that you have to do

• Responsibilities: things that you (should) choose to do

The basic responsibility of every citizen is to contribute to the common good, or the well being of all members of society.

What does this mean? How can we/do we contribute?

Protect the rights and freedoms of others

Fulfilling our citizenship responsibilities

Volunteer work

The Common Good

Participating in Civic life

• Holding government office • Working on elections • Influencing the government