Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

Do Your Duty!

• To safeguard our democratic republic, each of us must exercise our rights and fulfill our responsibilities as citizens.

I want you to be a good

citizen!

What is a citizen?• There are three ways to become

a citizen1 You were born in the US (or at

least one parent is a citizen of the US)

2 You were naturalized, that is, you have completed the official legal process for becoming a citizen.

3 You were 18 or younger when your parents were naturalized.

• There have been thousands who have become citizens through naturalization. They enjoy all rights as regular citizens except one…they cannot be President or Vice President.

Civic Virtue and Democratic Values

• Freedoms aren’t free, and freedom can be very hard. Part of being a good citizen of this country is appreciating what democracy has given you. We must hold tightly to the values upon which this country was founded. Among these basic values are honesty, compassion, patriotism, respect, responsibility, and courage.

Responsibilities of a Citizen

• As citizens, we also have certain civic responsibilities

• Voting • Obeying the Laws• Defending the Nation• Serving on Juries• Serving the

Community• Being Informed