THE PATH TO UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP

Key Terms USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization: the process of assuming or being granted citizenship of a country, usually a country other than that of the person’s origin Green Card: document showing evidence of your lawful permanent resident status in the United States

Benefits Benefits Voting Bringing family members to the United States Obtaining citizenship for children born abroad Traveling with a U.S. passport Becoming eligible for Federal jobs Becoming an elected Showing your patriotism

Responsibilities Responsibilities Give up all prior allegiance to any other nation or sovereignty Swear allegiance to the United States Support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States Serve the country when required Jury Duty Participating in Political Process Tolerance for Differences

Eligibility Be 18 or older Be a green card holder for at least 5 years Have lived in one place for at least 3 months prior to filing the application Have continuous residence for at least 5 years prior to filing the application Be physically present for at least 30 months out of the 5 years Reside continuously from the date of application for naturalization up to the time of naturalization Be able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and government (civics). Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during  all relevant periods under the law Most common path to citizenship described above: also through marriage, military, and parents

Process Complete Application Get Photographs Get Documents Get Fingerprinted Be Interviewed/Take Tests Take the Oath Receive Certification of Naturalization Citizenship Test

The Test You will be asked 10 questions from a list of 100. Must get at least 6 right to pass the test.

What is the supreme law of the land? Question 1 What is the supreme law of the land?

Answer 1 the Constitution

Question 2 The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

Answer 2 We the People

How many amendments does the Constitution have? Question 3 How many amendments does the Constitution have?

Answer 3 twenty-seven (27)

What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? Question 4 What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

checks and balances separation of powers Answer 4 checks and balances separation of powers

Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now? Question 5 Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?

Carl Levin Debbie Stabenow Answer 5 Carl Levin Debbie Stabenow

Question 6 Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?

to print money to declare war to create an army to make treaties Answer 6 to print money to declare war to create an army to make treaties

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? Question 7 Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 7 Thomas Jefferson

What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? Question 8 What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

the Louisiana Territory Answer 8 the Louisiana Territory

Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States. Question 9 Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.

Missouri River Mississippi River Answer 9 Missouri River Mississippi River

Question 10 Name one U.S. territory.

Answer 10 Puerto Rico U.S. Virgin Islands American Samoa Northern Mariana Islands Guam

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