citizenship in america
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The People of AmericaCitizens and Residents
The What, Who, When, How and Why of Becoming and Being an
American Citizen
Types of American Residents
1. Citizens—Natural-born and naturalized 2. Aliens—Legal and illegal3. Refugees—People pushed from their home
and seeking refuge in another land
Legal Residents- 2 types
1. Visa holders2. Green card holders
1. Visa holders: temporary US residents– Employment visa: employer files paperwork and
pays for worker to come to US– Family-sponsored visa: family members file
paperwork and pay for immigrant to come to US– Educational visa: issued to students who choose to
attend school/college in US
Green Card Holders: Permanent US Residents
2. Green card holders are Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), who are officially granted immigration benefits, including permission to reside and work legally in the US
You must have a green card in order to apply for citizenship
Illegal Aliens
• Anyone who resides in America without updated paperwork– Examples
– Those with an expired visa, still here– Those who snuck into the country
What is a citizen?
• My favorite definition, courtesy of Merriam Webster Online Dictionary…
:a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protectionfrom it
14th amendment of the Constitution outlines who is a citizen
• Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States…are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside…”
Natural-born citizens
1. Anyone born within US territory• Baby is born in any of 50 states or territories (i.e. Puerto
Rico) or on overseas military bases
2. Anyone born outside of US with at least one (1) American parent• baby born in France to an American mother and a
French father
3. Two citizens of another country give birth to a child in the U.S.; the child is a U.S. citizen• 2 French citizens have baby while in New York, baby is
US citizen
Naturalized Citizen
• A citizen who has acquired citizenship by participating in a process
The Naturalization ProcessTime to completion: 5 months to 2 years
1. File a Declaration of Intent with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
2. INS conducts a fact-check to ensure information is true.
3. If application is approved,interview with INS and citizenship test.
4. Appear in court to take the Oath of Loyalty to the U.S.
Review and DiscussTurn to your elbow partner…
• Partner 1: Tell your partner everything you can remember from what you just learned.
• Partner 2: Listen carefully. After 2 minutes, fill in any missing information and correct or change any information which is mistaken.
Rights of Citizens
• Protection of the Constitution• American passport—free to travel among the
states and to reenter from outside of the US• Voting rights• Public office
Responsibilities of Citizens
• Loyalty to America—various meanings• Pay taxes—income taxes, sales taxes, estate
and inheritance taxes, etc.• Obey laws—laws are for us, by us!• Participate in government—vote, jury duty,
become involved in the community!
Turn to your table group
• Make a list of some things that:
– A. you think citizens should do in order to show good citizenship and allegiance to America.
– B. you do to show good citizenship.
What’s next…
• Citizenship test• Video: good.is/immigration