1. Chapter 1: Americans, Citizenship, and Governments
Lesson 2: Being a Citizen

2. What is Civics?
Citizens: a member of a community of people who owe loyalty to a government and, in turn, are entitled to its protection
Civics: the study of the rights and duties of citizens
Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers, wrote, “Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.”

3. Roots of Citizenship Citizenship: the rights and duties of citizens
Government: the ruling authority of the community
The idea of citizenship dates back 2,500 years ago to ancient Greece and Rome
Provided citizens, males only, legal rights and allowed the to participate in the government
1700s, revolutionary thinkers from France and America brought back the ancient ideas along with new ideas influenced by their modern lifestyles
They defined citizens as belonging to a nation
They also said the power of the government comes from the people (popular sovereignty)
“Consent of the governed”

4. Roots of Citizenship American citizens were white males
14th Amendment (1868) redefined citizenship and allowed African American males the right to vote
19th Amendment (1920) gave women the right to vote
Indian Citizenship Act (1924) declared all Native Americans citizens of the United States

5. Natural-Born Citizens
Any person born in any of the 50 states or in the District of Columbia automatically become American citizens at birth
Also if someone is born in American territory, such as Puerto Rico, or a U.S. military base overseas
This rule still applies to children born on American soil to people who are not U.S. citizens
A person born in another country can claim citizenship if both parents are U.S. citizens or if one parent is a citizens who has lived in the United States.
The United States does allow dual citizenship, he or she may be a citizen of the United States and another country

6. Naturalized Citizens
Naturalization: a legal process to obtain citizenship
Requirements
18 years or older
A lawful permanent resident for 5 years
Able to read, write, and speak English
Be of good moral character
Show an understanding of U.S. civics

7. Naturalized Citizen
Step 1: Complete an application and send to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS)
Step 2: USCIS makes sure the person meets all 5 requirements
Step 3: Citizenship Exam
Step 4: Special ceremony
Take an oath in which they swear to obey the Constitution and the country’s laws
If they have children under the age of 18, they become citizens as well

8. Losing Citizenship Expatriation Denaturalization
Someone who gives his or her allegiance to a foreign country
Denaturalization
Citizens who are found to have lied on their citizenship application
Being convicted of certain crimes
Treason, taking part in a rebellion, and trying to overthrow the government by violent means
Must be found guilty

9. Foreign-Born Residents
Aliens- a foreign-born resident of the United States who has not been naturalized
Legal Aliens
Resident alien: legal immigrant who permanently lives in the United States
May stay in the country as long as they wish
Nonresident alien: someone who expects to stay in the United States for a short, specified period of time

10. Foreign-Born Residents
Legal Aliens May/Can
Hold jobs
Own property
Attend public schools
Receive other government services
Pay taxes
Have the right to the protection of the law
Legal Aliens May NOT
Vote in elections
Run for office
Serve on juries
Work in most government jobs
Legal Aliens MUST
Carry identification cards at all time!!!

11. Refugees
Refugees: a person who has left his or her home to escape danger such as persecution by the government, war, or natural disaster
They government grants refugee status to people only if they can prove that they really are in danger if they return to their homeland

12. Illegal Aliens
The US limits the amount of immigrants who can enter the country each year to about 1 million
Relatives of US citizens receive the highest priority, or highest ranking
People who job skills that are needed by employers in the US
12 million people are living in the US illegally
Crossed the boards of Mexico or Canada illegally
Nonresident aliens that stayed past their visa expiration date
Can be arrested and deported to their home countries if they are caught
They have a very difficult time finding jobs because it is illegal to hire a person who is in the US illegally