1. Civics is the relationship between people and government.
What is Civics?
Civics = the STUDY OF CITIZENSHIP and GOVERMMENT
Civics is the relationship between people and government.

2. Who Are America’s Citizens?

3. In the late 1700s, there were less than 4 million people living in modern day U.S.
Today, there are more than 300 million people living in the U.S.

4. Counting the National Population
Census – count of individuals living in US
Started in 1790
Conducted by the U.S. Department of Commerce

5. Why is a census necessary?
To determine representation in Congress
Used to distribute billions of federal funds to local communities
Count indicates migration (movement) within the US

6. What is a citizen?
Citizen – a native or naturalized member of a country who owes that country’s government their allegiance.
Citizenship – is the status of being a citizen. If you have citizenship in a country, you have the right to live there, work, vote, and pay taxes!

7. Citizen by Birth If you were born on U.S. soil
If you were born in any American territory
If you were born anywhere in the world to one or both American parents
Americans may hold dual citizenship with another country

8. Naturalization Process
Naturalization – a legal process to attain citizenship
To be eligible:
Be at least 18 years old
Be a permanent resident (have a “Green Card”) for at least 5 years.
Be able to read, write, and speak basic English.
Have a basic understanding of U.S. history and government (civics).
Be a person of good moral character.
Demonstrate an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution.

9. Naturalization Process
In general, the naturalization process includes the following steps:
Determine your eligibility to become a U.S. citizen.
Submit an Application for Naturalization.
Live in U.S. for 5 years (on average)
Complete the interview and examination.
Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

10. Three Ways to Lose Citizenship
Denaturalization – Loss of citizenship through fraud or deception during the naturalization process
Expatriation – Giving up one’s citizenship by leaving one’s native country to gain citizenship in a foreign country
Punishment for a Crime – May lose citizenship when convicted of treason against the United States

11. Illegal Aliens
Only about 650,000 immigrants are accepted each year into the United States.
Some 11 million illegal aliens are living in the U.S.
50% of illegal aliens arrive from Mexico, others from Asia, Middle East and Central American countries

12. Legal Aliens
A resident alien is a person from a foreign country who has established permanent residence in the U.S.
They may stay as long as they wish without becoming citizens.
A nonresident alien is someone who expects to stay in the U.S. for a short, specified period.
Refugees are people fleeing their country to escape persecution.

13. Legal Aliens Legal Aliens Can: Legal Aliens Cannot: Hold jobs
Vote in elections
Own property
Run for office
Attend public schools
Serve on juries
Pay taxes & Receive government services
Be without identification cards

14. History of Immigration Reform
What were some of the key policies/laws established during that time?
What were the policies/laws addressing (what were the goals of these policies/laws)?
What was occurring nationally and internationally during noted dates that might have influenced these policies/laws (this might include wars, economic challenges, discrimination, etc.)?
What impact do you think these policies/laws had on immigrants and the United States?

15. Government
Government = A SMALL group of people ruling over a LARGE group of people
Laws = rules/regulations of individuals/groups

16. Four (4) Functions of Government
1- Keep Order – Make laws and set consequences
Laws passed/Police enforce/Courts convict
2- Provide Security – Prevents crime and protects citizens
Military
3- Provide Public Services – Meets needs of the masses
Fire Department, Water & Sewer, Hospitals, Transportation
4- Guiding Community – Works to achieve community goals
Develop Public Policy (course of action)
Economic Plan = Budget (collect and spend)

17. The Citizen and the Community17

18. Duties & Responsibilities of Citizens
We all have certain responsibilities and duties to uphold/perform in our community.
Responsibilities - things we should do; they are obligations that we fulfill voluntarily
Duties - things that we must do 18

19. A Citizen’s Legal Duties
Obey laws
Pay taxes
Defend the nation
All men aged are required to register for the draft (to call up people for military service – Selective Service Act)
Serve in court – on juries or as witnesses
Attend school – until 16 in NC 19

20. A Citizen’s Responsibilities
Be informed of current events.
Respect others’ rights
Tolerance - respecting and accepting others, regardless of their beliefs, practices, or differences
Contribute to the common good
Vote
Others??
“The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a president and senators and congressmen and government officials but the voters of this country.”
~Franklin D. Roosevelt 20

21. A Citizen’s Rights
Rights – privileges that cannot be taken away by the government
Sources of Our Rights
Declaration of Independence
State Constitutions
U.S. Constitution – including Bill of Rights and other Amendments

22. Security Rights – Protection by the Government
Some of our rights are based on denying certain powers to our government:
Article I of the Constitution denies certain powers to Congress
The Bill of Rights contains many limitations to government’s powers

23. Equality Rights – Equal Treatment Under the Law
14th Amendment requires that all persons are treated the same (all persons to be given due process and equal protection)
Amendments like the 15th and 19th made voting an equal right for all citizens

24. Liberty Rights – Rights Guaranteed Under the Constitution
1st Amendment rights are a prime example of protecting basic freedoms
Speech, Press, Religion, Assembly, and Petition
5th Amendment - Certain rights are given to accused persons