1. Chapter 1 Foundations of American Citizenship

2. What is civics?
Civics is the study of the rights and duties of citizens.
Rights-privileges guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
Duties-things you are required to do by law.

3. Who Are American Citizens?
born in the 50 states or the territories
(Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, or the American Samoa)
born to a U.S. citizen (May have dual citizenship)
Anyone who has successfully completed the naturalization process

4. A Diverse America USA = a nation of immigrants
Forced immigration = Slaves
Recently most have come from Central America or Asia
“Salad Bowl” Theory

5. Middle Passage
Between 1525 and 1866, in the entire history of the slave trade to the New World, according to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database, 12.5 million Africans were shipped to the New World million survived the dreaded Middle Passage, disembarking in North America, the Caribbean and South America.

6. A Changing America
America has experienced many different migrations- a mass movement of people within the country
From farms to the industrial jobs of the cities (mid 1800s)
African-Americans moving from the South to the North after the Civil War (late 1800s)
From Cities to suburbs (1950s to present)
From Northeast to South and West (1980s to present)

7. A “More-changing” America
Manufacturing economy to a SERVICE economy
The average age of Americans is climbing and people are having fewer children
Record number of Americans are going to college
Hispanic-Americans are now the fastest growing group in America

8. 2015 Census Estimates
America’s estimated population in 2015: 321,418,820
- White: 61.6%
Black or African American: 13.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.2%
Asian: 5.6%
Native Hawaiian an other Pacific Islander: 0.2%
Two or more races: 2.6%
Some other race: 0.2%
Hispanic or Latino: 17.6%
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau: National Population Estimates)
2016 American Population Projection: 324,129,576

9. What Brings America Together?
American values
freedom, justice, equality, respect, tolerance
A common language (English)
Traditional American Institutions:
-Family
-Religion
-Education
-Social
-Government

10. Immigrants In America Limits on immigration ~675,000 accepted annually
Priority: relatives already here & special skills

11. Legal Immigration Here from another country…with permission Why USA???
Jobs
schools
Function like “citizen” with limitations
Must pay taxes

12. Legal Aliens vs. American Citizens
Can’t vote or run for office
No jury duty
Can’t hold government jobs
Must always carry an identification card to prove their legal status (green card)

13. Illegal Immigrants ~5 to 6 million people per year enter illegally
Most risk capture and terrible conditions to cross the border
Seek a better life
Illegal to hire
Face deportation

14. How to become a Citizen? Jus Sanguinis (Right of Blood)
One parent is a U.S. Citizen, birthplace does not matter
Jus Soli (Right of Birthplace)
If child is born in the U.S., even if parents are illegal immigrants
Naturalization
18 years old
Permanent U.S. residency for 5 years, or if married to a U.S. citizen, 3 years
Good moral character
Read, write, speak English (some exceptions for Senior adults)
Citizenship test
Oath of Allegiance

15. STEPS to NATURALIZATION
File
Application
for
citizenship
Pass
Citizenship
Exam
Declaration of
Intention
Pledge
OATH to
USA
INS
Interview
STEPS to NATURALIZATION
File
With
INS