Chapter 3 The Meaning of Citizenship

Section 1 What It Means to Be a Citizen

Who Is A Citizen• Person who by birth or by choice owes

allegiance to this nation• Born in the U.S. or its Territories, unless

parents live in the U.S. as representatives of a foreign government

• Born with at least 1 U.S. citizen parent• Been Naturalized – going through a

process of becoming a citizen• Under 18 when parents were Naturalized

Naturalized Citizens• Alien –

• a citizen of one country who lives in another country

• Naturalized citizens have all the rights and duties of citizens except the right to become President or Vice President

• Once a citizen always a citizen• Except – A person can decide to give up

citizenship, or become a citizen of another country

• Citizenship can be taken away – if convicted of trying to overthrow the U.S. government by force

The Office of Citizen

• Citizens have the power to decide what our government will and will not do

• Citizens elect representatives – people who are chosen to speak and act for their fellow citizens in government

• Representatives hold office only as long as the citizens want them to.