U.S. History

Chapter 9: Citizenship & the Constitution

Section 3: Rights & Responsibilities of Citizenship

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

•Anyone born in the United States or its territories is a

citizen

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

•Naturalized Citizen—a person born in another country who has been granted citizenship

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

• People born in a foreign country can become U.S. citizens if one of their parents is a U.S. citizen.

• Foreign born people whose parents are NOT citizens can go through naturalization to become U.S. citizens

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

•Legal immigrants have many of the same rights as citizens with a few exceptions:

–Can not vote

–Can not hold political office

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

–Can be deported

•Deport—send back to the country of origin

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

•Natural Born vs. Naturalized citizens:

–Can lose citizenship

–Can not be President or Vice President

What’s wrong with this

picture?

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

•Naturalization—a long process to gain citizenship:

–Legal immigrants 18+ can apply for citizenship

–Must live in the U.S. for 5 years

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

• Naturalization:

– Must be able to financially support self

– USCIS oversees process and conducts a hearing

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is

a part of the Homeland Security Department

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

• Naturalization:

– Law abiding citizen

– Read, write, and speak English

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

• Naturalization:

– Basic understanding of U.S. history and government

– Background check

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

• Take oath of allegiance and receive naturalization certificate

Duties of Citizens

Duties of Citizens

•Electing leaders

Duties of Citizens

•Obeying laws

How can you try to change a law?

•Speak with leaders

•Petition leaders

•Elect new leaders

•Challenge in the courts

Duties of Citizens

•Know the law

•Pay taxes

Duties of Citizens

•Defend the nation

•Draft—requirement of military service

Duties of Citizens

•Jury Duty

Citizens & Elections

•Elections form the basis of our representative democracy

•Political Action Committee—groups that collect money to give to candidates that support certain issues

Citizens & Government

•Interest groups

•Write letters

•Attend public meetings

Community Service