Who are America’s Citizens? Citizenship by Birth: –If you were born in any of the 50 states, D.C., or an American territory such as Puerto Rico or Guam or on a military base. –If either of your parents are American citizens –If you are BORN on U.S. soil (and to non-U.S. citizens) –Dual Citizenship: If you are born abroad to American parents, you may have both the citizenship of the country you were born in, as well as that of your parents

Naturalization Requirements Process by which non-citizens become American citizens –1. Sign Declaration of Intent –2. Live in the United States at least 5 years (3 years for those married to U.S. citizens) –3. Potentially take classes to prepare for citizenship –4. Application for citizenship AND Interview—to see if candidates are of good moral character, as well as have met necessary requirements such as speaking/writing english –5. Take citizenship Exam—must show basic knowledge of English, as well as facts about the history and government of the United States. –6. If the application is granted, they attend a ceremony where they pledge an oath of allegiance to the United States.

Naturalization… –IF THEY HAVE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18, THEY AUTOMATICALLY BECOME U.S. CITIZENS AS WELL! –Only the Federal government can take citizenship away…but someone can give up their citizenship (this occurs in another country in front of an American official) Once someone takes this step, there is no going back! Three ways to give up (relinquish) citizenship: 1. Expatriotism (someone who does not want to be a US citizen. Not loyal to U.S. anymore. 2. De-naturalization: Lied on their citizenship application 3. Convictions of certain crimes: Treason, rebellion and violent overthrow of government.

Aliens in America Only about 675,000 immigrants are accepted into the United States each year There are approximately 12 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S. Highest priority goes to those with relatives in U.S. who are citizens and those with special job skills –Example: doctors, technology, professional sports players

Aliens vs. Illegal Aliens Aliens: (Resident and non- resident) –Have entered the United States LEGALLY –Through obtaining a VISA (or permission to come) –May hold jobs, own property, and are entitled to legal protection –Pay taxes! –Cannot vote, hold a government job, server on juries, or run for office –Must carry ID cards at all times Illegal Aliens: –Have entered the United States ILLEGALLY –Some were refused permission to immigrate –Some did not apply for permission—due to lengthy process –Enter as temporary visitors and never leave, illegally cross the borders at Mexico and Canada –Stayed beyond their VISA date

Green Cards “Green Card” is another name for Permanent Residency Visas are granted for a specific, LIMITED amount of time Green Cards allow for individuals to stay in the U.S. permanently, though they will not receive the benefits of citizenship If you marry a U.S. citizen, you are automatically granted your permanent residency or “Green Card”

Refugees… A person who is outside his/her country of nationality or residence Seeking refugee status Sometimes known as asylum seekers— often on political and religious grounds About 10 countries in the world take “quota refugees” (based on a quota) usually because of war A claim for asylum may also be made “onshore” usually after making an unauthorized arrival –Example: Cubans escaping via boat

A Nation of Immigrants E pluribus unum…”Out of Many, One” Represents the diversity of our nation— and the idea that all Americans began as immigrants… Raises the question as to whether or not our policies today should reflect this past

European Settlers The first Europeans to settle permanently in North American arrived from Spain during the 1500s. (Settled in what is now Florida, California, and the Southwest) Beginning in the 1600s, people from France and England came to North America. (French settled in Canada and along the Mississippi River, English settled along the east coast of North America, creating the 13 colonies. During the late 1600s and the 1700s, immigrants from Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland, and Sweden arrived.

Waves of Immigration… U.S. became known as the land of promise…idea of “American Dream” is born The number of immigrants grew from 600,000 in the 1830s to more than 2 million by the 1850s. Between , more than 10 million Europeans came (from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden primarily) Between , about 22 million immigrants arrived from mostly southern and eastern Europe For the past 50 years, immigration has come primarily from Latin America and Asia

African Immigrants Unwilling immigrants were forcibly removed from their homes in Western and central Africans Between 1619 and 1808, before it became illegal to bring enslaved persons into the U.S., 500,000 people were brought to the country this way Other African immigrants are from various countries in Africa and the Caribbean region