American Citizenship Natural Rights – rights that are given by nature or God not given by the government This means they are inalienable or can not be taken away by people or the government

American Citizenship 2 Ways to Become a Citizen 1.Native citizenship – born in the U. S. or a territory of the U.S. (Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, military base) You can claim American citizenship no matter where you are born: a.if both parents are citizens or b.one parent is a citizen and has lived in the U.S. for 10 years

American Citizenship 2.Naturalization– the process of becoming a U.S. citizen after birth. Alien – citizen of another country Immigrant – alien who intends to stay in U.S.

American Citizenship Steps in the Process 1.Sign a Declaration of Intention – I want to become a U.S. citizen (optional) – filed with Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) 2. File a petition for citizenship – after 5 years

American Citizenship 3.Have two citizens testify on your behalf. met the residency requirement good moral character believe in the Constitution 4.Take an exam. Must be able to read and write English and know American History and Government

American Citizenship 5.Pledge an oath of allegiance to the Constitution and the laws of the U.S. and sign a certificate of naturalization. *You must be 18 years of age to become a U.S. Citizen

American Citizenship Ways to Lose Citizenship 1.Treason – trying to overthrow the government 2.Expatriation – taking oath of allegiance in another country 3.Denaturalization – proven the fraud occurred during the naturalization process

American Citizenship Can You Pass the Citizenship test?

Immigration History

In the Beginning 1600’s – early 1800’s People came as settlers from Western Europe (most from the British Isles)People came as settlers from Western Europe (most from the British Isles) Many migrated because of religious reasonsMany migrated because of religious reasons Naturalization Act of 1790 – “any alien, being a free white person, may be admitted to become a citizen of the United States”Naturalization Act of 1790 – “any alien, being a free white person, may be admitted to become a citizen of the United States”

The 1800’s 1820’s-1880’s 15 million immigrants come to the US1820’s-1880’s 15 million immigrants come to the US Push FactorsPush Factors –Economic hardship in home countries –end of wars freed young men from military service Pull FactorsPull Factors –Need for labor in the Midwest and the Erie Canal (1825) –Beginnings of industrial development First time US begins to show an aversion to a specific immigrant population (Irish)First time US begins to show an aversion to a specific immigrant population (Irish)

Turn of the Century New wave of immigrants from Eastern EuropeNew wave of immigrants from Eastern Europe Push and Pull FactorsPush and Pull Factors –Same economic push/pull as the earlier immigrants (tech innovations came later to Eastern Europe) Creates a new feeling that these immigrants could jeopardize the nations securityCreates a new feeling that these immigrants could jeopardize the nations security Results in Quota systemsResults in Quota systems –Preference is given to immigrants from western Europe, Asian immigrants were deemed unworthy of entrance into the US

Immigration Today Affirmative Action – a way of achieving equal employment opportunities for minority groupsAffirmative Action – a way of achieving equal employment opportunities for minority groups Racial Profiling – the use of race to identify a person as a suspect or potential suspectRacial Profiling – the use of race to identify a person as a suspect or potential suspect