Ms. Sirmopoulos 7 th grade Civics

* Subjects vs. citizens * Subjects (no rights) – King George (Colonists) * Citizens (rights) * Colonists (colony) – a location where people were governed by the same laws as if they were in their homeland. * Citizens of country and the state (resident) * Where you participate in the political process: * Resident (state, county, city) – only of the state in which they live. * Citizen (national elections – every citizen) * Constitutional provisions for holding public office mentioned the term citizen. * Delegates could not agree on the definition of national citizenship. (Constitutional Convention) * Left up to the states…

* It took a civil war and an amendment to the Constitution to define national citizenship * Fourteenth Amendment – Section 1 defines citizenship * (look in reference section of interactive spiral) * Born or naturalized in the United States

* Defined citizens in this way * All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. * (Citizenship/Residency)

* Any child born in the United States is a citizen of the United States, even if the child’s parents are not citizens. * Soil of the US includes Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. * Any exceptions??? (think military bases)

* Principle in which citizenship is determined by parentage rather than by place of birth. * U.S recognizes as citizens children born abroad to American citizens.

* Section 1401 defines people who are citizens of the U.S at birth… * Examples: * Anyone born inside the U.S. * Anyone born outside the U.S. both of whose parents are citizens of the U.S. as long as one parent has lived in the U.S. * Anyone born outside the United States, if one parent is a citizen and lived in the U.S. for at least one year and the parent is a U.S. national citizen.

* Citizens of the United States at birth * Eligible to run for President or Vice President * NOTE: Only elected office to mandate natural born citizenship. * Provisions allow the children of military families to be considered natural born

* Anyone born in the Canal Zone or in Panama itself, on or after February 26, 1904 to a mother and/or father who is a United States citizen, was “declared” to be a United States citizen…. * (Why?) ne ne * (John McCain) former 2008 presidential nominee and Arizona Senator

* YES! * John McCain is a natural born citizen under Section 8 USC 1401 © * “a person born outside of the United States and its outlying possessions of parents both of whom are citizens of the U.S. and one of whom has had a residence in the U.S. or one of its outlying possessions prior to the birth of such a person.” * So why is this along with President Obama’s birth status so difficult? * (Hint, Obama was born in Hawaii – to a U.S. Citizen and an African exchange student) * Remember President Obama re-released his birth certificate… WHY???

* Non-citizens may apply to become a citizen of the United States. * Cannot be considered natural born citizen unless U.S. Code is changed. * Process includes: * Application/5 year Legal Permanent Residency * Oath of loyalty * Speak basic English * At least 18 years of age. * Pass the Naturalization Exam * Good moral character…. (follow laws while Legal Permanent Resident) * NOTE: Legal Permanent Residents enjoy all the rights of citizenship except the following: * Can not vote * Can not hold public office * Can not serve on a jury.