CitizenshipCitizenshipRights, Duties, Rights, Duties, ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Becoming a Becoming a CitizenCitizen

A. 3 ways to become A. 3 ways to become a citizena citizen 1. Born in the U.S. 1. Born in the U.S.

or a U.S. Territoryor a U.S. Territory

2. Born in a foreign country and 2. Born in a foreign country and one of your parents is a U.S. citizenone of your parents is a U.S. citizen

These two types of citizens are These two types of citizens are classified as:classified as:

Natural Born Natural Born CitizensCitizens

3. You are foreign born and you go 3. You are foreign born and you go throughthrough

the process of the process of naturalizationnaturalization

B. B. ImmigrantsImmigrants

1. Foreigners who 1. Foreigners who move to a new move to a new countrycountry

2. In the U.S., 2. In the U.S., immigrants have immigrants have the same rights as the same rights as citizens but they citizens but they can not:can not:

a. a.

b. Hold Public Office (elected b. Hold Public Office (elected position)position)

3. The Government 3. The Government can can deportdeport any any immigrant who immigrant who breaks the law or is breaks the law or is here illegally.here illegally.

a. Means “to send a. Means “to send back back

to the country of to the country of

origin.”origin.”

C. Steps of C. Steps of NaturalizationNaturalization 1. Have to live in 1. Have to live in

the U.S. for 5 yearsthe U.S. for 5 years

(3 yrs. if married to (3 yrs. if married to a U.S. citizen)a U.S. citizen)

45 days if adopted 45 days if adopted by U.S. parentsby U.S. parents

(not considered “natural (not considered “natural born”)born”)

2. Have to be over 2. Have to be over the age of 18the age of 18

3. Have to be able 3. Have to be able to demonstrate a to demonstrate a working knowledge working knowledge of the English of the English language.language.

4. Have to take and 4. Have to take and pass a test on U.S pass a test on U.S History and History and GovernmentGovernment

5. They take an 5. They take an oath of allegianceoath of allegiance to the U.S.to the U.S.

Dual citizenship?

Naturalized Naturalized citizens can NOT citizens can NOT become President become President or Vice-Presidentor Vice-President

Only a Only a Natural Natural Born CitizenBorn Citizen may may serve as President serve as President of the United of the United StatesStates

II. Duties of CitizensII. Duties of Citizens

A. Obeying A. Obeying AuthorityAuthority 1. Citizens elect 1. Citizens elect

officials to make officials to make (enforce, interpret) (enforce, interpret) laws for themlaws for them

2. If citizens disagree 2. If citizens disagree with a law they canwith a law they can a. Speak with the a. Speak with the

appropriate appropriate RepresentativeRepresentative

b. challenge the law b. challenge the law in court - appeals in court - appeals

process process c. petitionc. petition d. Amend the d. Amend the

ConstitutionConstitution

3. The duty of 3. The duty of obeying laws obeying laws includes knowing includes knowing all of the laws and all of the laws and all of the changes all of the changes to laws.to laws.

““ignorance of the ignorance of the law is never an law is never an excuse”excuse”

4. 4. Citizens Citizens should should respect the rights respect the rights of others and of others and respect people in respect people in authorityauthority

a. parentsa. parents b. b.

leaders/teachersleaders/teachers c. police officersc. police officers

5. Parents have the 5. Parents have the DUTY DUTY to their to their children of the followingchildren of the following

a. clothea. clothe b. feedb. feed c. shelterc. shelter d. educated. educate

B. Paying TaxesB. Paying Taxes 1. The Government relies 1. The Government relies

on taxes to pay for the on taxes to pay for the services it provides to services it provides to the citizensthe citizens

a. public roadsa. public roads

b. military b. military c.schools/libraries/transpc.schools/libraries/transportationortation

d. etc, etc, etcd. etc, etc, etc

2. Most school funding comes from 2. Most school funding comes from local property tax. local property tax.

3. The largest tax 3. The largest tax of all is due on of all is due on April 15April 15

INCOME TAX DAYINCOME TAX DAY

C. Serving in the C. Serving in the MilitaryMilitary

1. 1. Citizens/GovernmeCitizens/Government have the DUTY nt have the DUTY to protect and to protect and defend our nation defend our nation from harmfrom harm

a. conscription, a. conscription, draft, selective draft, selective serviceservice

D. Service in CourtD. Service in Court 1. Serving on a jury 1. Serving on a jury

involves listening to a involves listening to a court case and reaching court case and reaching a verdict for the a verdict for the defendantdefendant

2. Jury duty helps 2. Jury duty helps fulfill each person’s 6fulfill each person’s 6thth Amendment RightsAmendment Rights

3. As a Witness3. As a Witness

“ “subpoena”subpoena”