Chapter 1, Section 2Chapter 1, Section 2The Path to CitizenshipThe Path to Citizenship

Main Idea:Main Idea:

In the U.S., there are two ways to In the U.S., there are two ways to become a citizen: by birth and by a become a citizen: by birth and by a process called naturalization.process called naturalization.

I. I. Who are America’s Citizens?Who are America’s Citizens? (15) (15)

A.A. The Constitution establishes two The Constitution establishes two ways ways to become an American to become an American citizen:citizen:

1. Birth1. Birth

2. 2. NaturalizationNaturalization-- legal process legal process to become citizen to become citizen

3.3. Born on U.S military base overseas. Born on U.S military base overseas.

4.4. Born outside the U.S.: if both parents Born outside the U.S.: if both parents are citizens or at least one parent is a are citizens or at least one parent is a citizen and has lived in the U.S.citizen and has lived in the U.S.

5.5. Child born on U.S soil to non-U.S. Child born on U.S soil to non-U.S. citizens (except children of diplomats).citizens (except children of diplomats).

B.B. Automatically a U.S citizen if: Automatically a U.S citizen if:

1.1. Born in a state or D.C. Born in a state or D.C.

2.2. Born in American territory Born in American territory (Puerto (Puerto Rico, Guam)Rico, Guam)

C.C. A child born abroad to American parents A child born abroad to American parents may hold dual citizenship.may hold dual citizenship.

D.D. AlienAlien-- Non-citizens…..may become Non-citizens…..may become naturalizednaturalized

E. E. ImmigrantsImmigrants-- people who move people who move permanently to a new countrypermanently to a new country

***More than half a million gain U.S ***More than half a million gain U.S citizenship annually***citizenship annually***

POPULATION CHARTPOPULATION CHART

The Naturalization ProcessThe Naturalization ProcessSteps:Steps:1. file file Declaration of IntentionDeclaration of Intention with USCIS with USCIS2. Waiting periodWaiting period while living in U.S while living in U.S

( 5 yrs- only 3 yrs if married to citizen)( 5 yrs- only 3 yrs if married to citizen)

take classes to preparetake classes to prepare3. if 18 and lived in state for 3 monthsif 18 and lived in state for 3 months

file file Application for CitizenshipApplication for Citizenship4. InterviewInterview (must be good moral character) (must be good moral character)5. Examination Examination 6. Take Take Oath of Allegiance Oath of Allegiance (child under 18 (child under 18

also)also)

Oath of AllegianceOath of Allegiance "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and

entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of without any mental reservation or purpose of

evasion; so help me God."evasion; so help me God."

• In some cases, USCIS allows the oath to be In some cases, USCIS allows the oath to be taken without the clauses:taken without the clauses:

• ". . .that I will bear arms on behalf of the ". . .that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law; that I United States when required by law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when Armed Forces of the United States when required by law. . ."required by law. . ."

• If USCIS finds that you are unable to swear If USCIS finds that you are unable to swear the oath using the words “the oath using the words “on oathon oath,” you may ,” you may replace these words with “replace these words with “and solemnly and solemnly affirmaffirm.” If USCIS finds that you are unable to .” If USCIS finds that you are unable to use the words “use the words “so help me Godso help me God” because of ” because of your religious training or beliefs, you are not your religious training or beliefs, you are not required to say these words.required to say these words.

Who_is_a_Citizen_.asf

F.F. Americans keep their citizenship for life! Americans keep their citizenship for life!

unlessunless: : ((ways to lose citizenshipways to lose citizenship))

1.1. they choose to give it up ( they choose to give it up (expatriationexpatriation). ). automatic if become a naturalized automatic if become a naturalized citizen of another countrycitizen of another country

2.2. stripped of citizenship because of fraud stripped of citizenship because of fraud

or deception during the processor deception during the process

((denaturalizationdenaturalization))

3.3. punishment for a crime punishment for a crime

(treason, rebellion, attempt to (treason, rebellion, attempt to overthrow overthrow the gov) the gov)

II. II. Aliens in AmericaAliens in America (18-19) (18-19)

A.A. U.S restricts the number of U.S restricts the number of immigrants that enter the country. immigrants that enter the country. *** Highest priority goes to *** Highest priority goes to people that have skills and people that have skills and money to contribute to our money to contribute to our economy.*** economy.***

B.B. Many aliens live here Many aliens live here illegallyillegally.. Most come looking for a better life. Most come looking for a better life. Laws forbid hiring illegal aliens.Laws forbid hiring illegal aliens.

C. C. DeportDeport-- Send them back to their Send them back to their own country own country

DD.. Legal aliens live like most Legal aliens live like most Americans. Hold jobs, pay taxes, Americans. Hold jobs, pay taxes, but do not have full political rights but do not have full political rights (can’t vote, run for office etc…)(can’t vote, run for office etc…)

Mini Quiz!!! Mini Quiz!!! Tom Petty- “American Girl”Tom Petty- “American Girl”

1.1. Name the two U.S territories where Name the two U.S territories where you automatically become a U.S. you automatically become a U.S. citizen if you are born there…citizen if you are born there…

2.2. When you hold citizenship in not one, When you hold citizenship in not one, but two countries, what is that called?but two countries, what is that called?

3.3. How long does an American keep their How long does an American keep their citizenship? Can you give it up?citizenship? Can you give it up?

4.4. Name the two ways you can become Name the two ways you can become an American citizen…an American citizen…