Ch. 1Ch. 1Section 2Section 2

The Path to CitizenshipThe Path to Citizenship

Who are America’s Citizens?Who are America’s Citizens?

The U.S. Constitution establishes two The U.S. Constitution establishes two ways to become a citizen:ways to become a citizen:

- by birth- by birth

- by - by naturalization, naturalization, citizenship through a citizenship through a legal processlegal process

Who are America’s Citizens? Who are America’s Citizens? (cont.)(cont.)

A person is automatically an American citizen if A person is automatically an American citizen if they are:they are:- born in a state- born in a state- born in D.C.- born in D.C.- born in an American territory- born in an American territory- born on a U.S. military base - born on a U.S. military base

People can also claim citizenship if their parents People can also claim citizenship if their parents or one parent is a U.S. citizen who has lived in or one parent is a U.S. citizen who has lived in the U.S.the U.S.

Who are America’s Citizens? Who are America’s Citizens? (cont.)(cont.)

Children who are born on U.S. soil to non-U.S. Children who are born on U.S. soil to non-U.S. citizens also acquire U.S. citizenshipcitizens also acquire U.S. citizenship

Only exception, children of foreign diplomatsOnly exception, children of foreign diplomats

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

Who are America’s Citizens? Who are America’s Citizens? (cont.)(cont.)

Non-citizens or Non-citizens or aliens,aliens, may become naturalized may become naturalized citizens.citizens.

More than half a million More than half a million immigrants, immigrants, people people who move permanently to a new country, gain who move permanently to a new country, gain citizenship each year.citizenship each year.

There are some steps one must take to reach There are some steps one must take to reach U.S. citizenshipU.S. citizenship

Naturalization ProcessNaturalization Process

1.1. Aliens must file a Aliens must file a Declaration of Intention Declaration of Intention

with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).(USCIS).

2.2. May apply for citizenship after living in the U.S. May apply for citizenship after living in the U.S. for 5 years (3 years for those married to for 5 years (3 years for those married to citizens)citizens)

During this time, applicant takes special During this time, applicant takes special classes to prepare for the citizenship exam classes to prepare for the citizenship exam

Naturalization Process (cont.)Naturalization Process (cont.)

3.3. After the paperwork is checked, the interviewAfter the paperwork is checked, the interview

with a USCIS official takes place. with a USCIS official takes place.

Applicant must meet requirements and show Applicant must meet requirements and show good moral charactergood moral character

4. Applicant takes citizenship exam consisting of 4. Applicant takes citizenship exam consisting of basic American History/American Government basic American History/American Government questions and basic reading, writing, and questions and basic reading, writing, and speaking English.speaking English.

Naturalization Process (cont.)Naturalization Process (cont.)

5.5. If test is passed and citizenship is granted, If test is passed and citizenship is granted,

applicant will attend a ceremony and pledge an oath of applicant will attend a ceremony and pledge an oath of allegiance to the U.S.allegiance to the U.S.

Alien swears to be loyal to this country and no other, Alien swears to be loyal to this country and no other, obey the Constitution, and perform duties of a citizen.obey the Constitution, and perform duties of a citizen.

6. Document is signed and person is declared a citizen of 6. Document is signed and person is declared a citizen of the United States of America. All children under the the United States of America. All children under the age of 18 automatically become citizens too.age of 18 automatically become citizens too.

Lifelong PrivilegeLifelong Privilege

Citizenship is for life, unless you choose to give it up.Citizenship is for life, unless you choose to give it up.

Only the Federal government can grant citizenship or take it away.Only the Federal government can grant citizenship or take it away.

Expatriation Expatriation means to give up one’s citizenship by leaving one’s means to give up one’s citizenship by leaving one’s native country to live in a foreign country.native country to live in a foreign country.

Giving up citizenship must be done in a foreign country, with a Giving up citizenship must be done in a foreign country, with a formal oath signed before an appropriate American official.formal oath signed before an appropriate American official.

There is no going back from here. There is no changing your mind.There is no going back from here. There is no changing your mind.You are still responsible for any old debts and crimes committed in You are still responsible for any old debts and crimes committed in the U.S.the U.S.

Aliens in AmericaAliens in America

The U.S. restricts the number of immigrants who can enter the The U.S. restricts the number of immigrants who can enter the country. country.

Millions apply, but roughly 700,000 are accepted each year.Millions apply, but roughly 700,000 are accepted each year.

Highest priority goes to relatives of U.S. citizens and people with Highest priority goes to relatives of U.S. citizens and people with needed skillsneeded skills

Immigration Act of 1990 shifted emphasis toward welcoming “those Immigration Act of 1990 shifted emphasis toward welcoming “those who want to work, produce, and contribute.”who want to work, produce, and contribute.”

Policy benefits those with: Particular skills, talents, or money to Policy benefits those with: Particular skills, talents, or money to invest in our economy.invest in our economy.

Aliens in America (cont.)Aliens in America (cont.)

Roughly 12 million aliens live in the U.S. illegally.Roughly 12 million aliens live in the U.S. illegally.

Many come here looking for a better life but never file the Many come here looking for a better life but never file the paperwork because of the long process or fear of paperwork because of the long process or fear of rejection.rejection.

Enter the U.S. illegally in a variety of ways:Enter the U.S. illegally in a variety of ways:- temporary visitors which never leave- temporary visitors which never leave- foreigners who stay after their legal permits - foreigners who stay after their legal permits expire.expire.- cross the border illegally from Mexico/Canada- cross the border illegally from Mexico/Canada

Aliens in America (cont.)Aliens in America (cont.)

Life is hard constantly living in fear of government Life is hard constantly living in fear of government deportation, deportation, sending them back to their own country.sending them back to their own country.

U.S. border patrol unit is the law enforcement unit of the U.S. border patrol unit is the law enforcement unit of the USCIS.USCIS.

Detect and prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the U.S. Detect and prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the U.S.

Patrol 2000 miles of coastal waters surrounding Florida Patrol 2000 miles of coastal waters surrounding Florida and Puerto Rico. Also patrol 6000 miles of and Puerto Rico. Also patrol 6000 miles of Mexican/Canadian international land borders.Mexican/Canadian international land borders.

Aliens in America (cont.)Aliens in America (cont.)

There are legal aliens who live in the U.S and are just There are legal aliens who live in the U.S and are just like everyone else.like everyone else.- hold jobs- hold jobs- pay taxes- pay taxes- go to school- go to school

There are a few political rights though that they do not There are a few political rights though that they do not have until full citizenship is granted:have until full citizenship is granted:- can not vote- can not vote- can not run for political office- can not run for political office- can not work in most government jobs- can not work in most government jobs- must carry identification cards- must carry identification cards