What is Civics?

American Citizenship

What is Civics?

• Study of the rights and duties of Citizens• Every American Citizen has rights and

responsibilities

Two Paths to American Citizenship

Birth• You are an American Citizen

if you are born:– In any of the 50 states– In a US territory– On a military base– If both parents are citizens or

one is a citizen who has lived in the US

Naturalization Process• 6Steps to becoming an

American Citizen– Statement of intent form– File Form– 2 Years living in US– Interviews from immigration

agent– Examination– Oath of Allegiance

Interesting fact: you don’t have to copy!

• It costs 390 US dollars for fingerprinting and application process.

• And it can only be in check or money order.

Can you be a citizen of the US and another country?

• Yes!• Dual Citizenship• Born to American Parents in a foreign country

Once a citizen always a citizen?

• Can loose your citizenship if– Denaturalized if Citizenship was improperly

obtained– Expatriation: Giving up ones citizenship to become

a citizen of another country– High Treason

Aliens in America

What is an Alien

• Non-Citizen living in US• Millions apply 675,000 Accepted every year• Resident-Alien• Non Resident Alien

Illegal Aliens

• Entered the US without going through the proper channel.

• 12 million in the US

Homework Vocabularypages 6 - 19

• Civics• Citizenship• Service Economy• Popular Sovereignty• Institution

• Naturalization• Alien• Immigrant• Deport