1. Today’s Song: “Cloudline” by Joseph
Paths to Citizenship
Citizenship

2. Warm up
Duties
Responsibilities

3. Think Responsibly What does it mean to be an American?
Write your response to the following prompt.
What does it mean to be an American?

4. Paths to Citizenship Birth Naturalization
There are two ways to become an American citizen:
Birth
Naturalization

5. Birthright Controversy!
Many Americans become citizens the moment they are born.
Birthright citizenship.
By Soil – Any person born on American soil.
By Blood – any person born to American parent(s).

6. Naturalization
The process of applying and becoming an American citizen
Open to anyone who is at least 18 years old.
Must be a resident of the US for 5 years. (3 years if married to an American)
Visas – permission to enter and remain in a country.
Green card.

7. Thank you for your interest in becoming an American!
1. Application
Potential citizens must file an application for citizenship with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Thank you for your interest in becoming an American!
We will get back to you.

8. Do immigrants commit more crimes?
2. Biometrics
Do immigrants commit more crimes?
Potential citizens are then fingerprinted for a comprehensive background check done by the FBI.

9. No! Immigrants have lower crime rates than natural born Americans.

10. 3. Interview
Potential citizens meet with an officer from Immigration Services to ensure the candidate is of “good moral character”.

11. 4. Civics & English Exam
Potential citizens must take an exam on American government and history as well as an English test.

12. 5. Oath of Allegiance
Applicants who have successfully completed previous steps are invited to a ceremony where they pledge allegiance and loyalty to the United States. Once the Oath has been taken, they are officially an American citizen.

13. Guide Them to Citizenship
Create a naturalization guide for potential citizens that can be used to navigate the process.
Include all 5 steps.
Make it easy to understand and easy to use.
Make it aesthetically (visually) pleasing.
Neat, organized, and colored.

14. To Do:
Complete Guide to Citizenship

15. Who Are American Citizens?
Draw a picture of an American.
Give meaning to their
thoughts and speech.
clothes and appearance.
objects, symbols, and possessions.