Chapter 1 Section 2 1/13/14

I. Who are America’s Citizens? A. Two ways to become a citizen: 1.by birth 2.for foreigners, by a legal process called naturalization. B. You are automatically an American citizen if you were born in a state or the District of Columbia, in an American territory, or on a U.S. military base overseas.

C. You can claim citizenship if: 1.Your parents are both citizens or one parent is a citizen who has lived in the United States 2.Children born on American soil to non- U.S. citizens also acquire U.S. citizenship 3.A child born abroad to American parents may hold dual citizenship.

D. Noncitizens, or aliens, may become naturalized citizens. More than ½ a million immigrants- people who move permanently to a new country-gain Am. Citizenship each year. E. Aliens must file a 1 Declaration of Intention with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). –They must 2 live in the United States for 5 years then, they can 3 apply for citizenship –After an 4 interview with an INS agent, the applicant must 5 take a citizenship exam. –If the INS decides to grant citizenship, the new citizen 6 pledges allegiance to this country in a ceremony. F. Americans keep their citizenship for life, unless they choose to give it up.

II. Aliens in America A. The United States restricts the number of immigrants who can enter the country. B. Many aliens live in the United States illegally looking for a better life. Laws forbid hiring illegal aliens Live in fear that the government will discover and deport them C. Legal aliens live like most Americans. Hold jobs and pay taxes. Do not have full political rights. They may not vote, run for office, or work in most government jobs. They must carry identification cards.