1. Citizenship

2. What is citizenship/citizens??
A member of a political community with rights and responsibilities

3. Rights vs. Responsibilities
Rights of Citizens
Responsibilities of Citizens
Freedom of speech, religion, bare arms, etc.
Right to own property
Freedom from discrimination
Equality under the law
Right to vote
Jury duty
Pay taxes
Obey laws
Register for selective service
Register to vote
Tolerate others
Be educated!!

4. 14th Amendment Defined citizenship in the United States
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.”
Guaranteed that people of ALL races born in the U.S. and subject to its government are citizens

5. Sources of Citizenship

6. #1: Citizenship by the “Law of the Land”
AKA jus soli
Citizenship is granted to nearly all people born in the United States or United States territories
Most common form of citizenship
Children born to immigrant parents or to foreigners just “visiting” the United States WOULD BE citizens
Some Exceptions
If a foreign diplomat had a child in the United States, their child WOULD NOT be a citizen

7. #2: Citizenship by Birth to an American Parent
AKA jus sanguinis– “law of the blood”
Sometimes complicated
If a child was born in a foreign nation and BOTH parents are United States citizens, the child is a citizen ONLY IF
One of the parents must have been a legal resident of the United States at some point in their lives
IF only ONE parent is an American citizen, that parent must have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years (2 of those years had to be after the age of 14).

8. #3: Naturalization
The process that allows immigrants to become American citizens
Qualifications
1) Applicants must have entered the U.S. legally by obtaining a VISA
2) Must be of good moral character
3) Ability to read, write and speak English
4) Must declare their support of the principles of the American government
5) Must show the basic knowledge of American History & Government

10. #3: Naturalization
To apply for citizenship, you must….. Be 18 years old Lived in the United States lawfully for at least 5 years *If married to a U.S. citizen, only 3 years residency is required*

11. #3: Naturalization Steps to Naturalization Declaration of Intent
Petition for citizenship
Investigation
Oath of Allegiance

12. Declaration of Intent

13. Petition for Citizenship

14. Investigation
Fingerprinted, asked questions about their moral character, question witnesses about applicant, interviewed.
English & Civics test

15. Oath of Allegiance
A judge of the federal district court gives the oath of allegiance to the applicant

16. Naturalized citizens MAY NEVER be the President or Vice-President
Naturalization
Naturalized citizens MAY NEVER be the President or Vice-President

17. Dual Citizenship
A person is a citizen of two countries at the same time
Example: Two U.S. citizens have a child in a foreign country. The child would be a U.S. citizen as BOTH parents are U.S. citizens and also a citizen by birth in the country they were born in.

18. Losing Citizenship
Only the federal government can both grant and take away citizenship
3 ways to lose citizenship
Expatriation: giving up one’s citizenship by leaving one’s native country to live in a foreign country
A person who becomes a naturalized citizen in another country automatically loses their U.S. citizenship

19. Losing Citizenship Punishment for a crime
When convicted of certain federal crimes such as treason, rebellion & attempts to overthrow the government through violent means

20. Losing Citizenship Denaturalization
Loss of citizenship if fraud or deception is detected during the naturalization process

21. Immigrants/Aliens AKA “aliens”
A person who lives in one country where he or she is not a citizen
Not all immigrants intend to become citizens (work, school, etc. only)

22. Alien Classifications
Resident alien: person from a foreign nation who has established a permanent residence in the U.S.
Can stay in the U.S. as long as they wish without becoming a citizen
Non-Resident Alien: person from a foreign country who expects to stay in the United States for a short period of time (media reporter)

23. Alien Classifications
Enemy Alien: citizen of a nation with which the United States is at war
Refugee: people fleeing to escape persecution or danger in their own country
Illegal Alien: person who comes to the U.S. without a legal permit
Illegally cross the border (Mexico/Canada, etc.)