Chapter 21:iv

American

Citizenship

Citizens

• persons who are represented and protected by the country’s government and owe their allegiance to the country

Subjects

• persons who owe their allegiance to a monarch or sovereign ruler

Nationals

• people who are protected by the government and owe allegiance to it but do not have the political rights of full-fledged citizens

Aliens

• citizens or subjects of one country who are living in another country

Characteristics of American Citizenship

1. A person must be born or naturalized in the U. S.,

-and-

2. a person must be subject to the laws of the U. S.

Ways one becomes an American citizen:

1. By right of birth,

-or-

2. through the process of naturalization.

Citizens by birth1. A person can be born a citizen

by place of birth,

-or-

2. they can be a citizen because they are born to parents who are citizens.

Citizenship by naturalization

There are three methods of Naturalization:

1. by treaty

2. by act of Congress

3. by individual action

Reasons for emigrating to America

• religious freedom

• political freedom

• economic opportunity

Process of Naturalization

• applications or petitions for naturalization are filed with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)

• aliens must meet certain requirements

Naturalization requirements

Applicants for citizenship must:1. have lawfully entered the U. S.,2. be at least 18 years old,3. be able to read, write, and speak

English,4. have lived continuously in the

U. S. for five years,

Naturalization requirements(continued)

5. believe in the principles of the Constitution,

6. Swear they are not members of a political party advocating the overthrow of the government, and

7. be of good moral character.

Loss of Citizenship

Citizenship can be lost in one of two ways:

1. Upon conviction of treason

-or-

2. expatriation