1. What It Means to Be a Citizen
SS.7.C.2.1 Define the term “citizen”, and identify legal means of becoming a U.S. Citizen.

2. Warm Up Activity: Could you pass this test?
Complete the handout provided to the best of your ability!
Warm Up Activity: Could you pass this test?

3. What is the supreme law of the land?

4. What does the Constitution do?

5. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?

6. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

7. How many amendments does the Constitution have?

8. What is the “rule of law”?

9. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

10. What does the judicial branch do?

11. When was the Constitution written?

12. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U. S. Constitution
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

13. Did you pass the test?
In order to become a citizen, immigrants/aliens/residents in the United States are required to take a Naturalization Test.
To pass the civics portion of the United States Naturalization Test you are required to get 6 out of 10 questions correct.
As participants enter, provide Handout A – Could you pass the test? Have participants complete the 10 question quiz.
After completed, ask participants where these questions are from. Explain they were selected from the 100 question pool for the United States Naturalization Exam. The 100 questions address U.S. government, U.S. history, and basic U.S. geography.
Debrief by providing the answers to the questions (see following slides).

14. What does it mean to Be a U.S. Citizen?

15. What does it mean to be a citizen?
Your turn!
What does being a citizen mean to you?
What does it mean to be a citizen?

16. What does the Constitution of the United States Say about citizenship?
The Constitution is like a rule book for government: it outlines the structure and function of our government and names some of the rights of the people.
What does the Constitution of the United States Say about citizenship?

17. The Fourteenth Amendment
or naturalized
All persons born
in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof
are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside…

18. Who is a natural born citizen of the United States?
Natural Born Citizens

19. Natural Born Citizenship is based on two “laws”:
“Law of the Soil”
Children born in the United States or Territories/Possessions
“Law of the Blood”
Children born to a parent or parents who are United States citizens. S B
FLREA Copyright 2011

20. “Law of the Soil”
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 U.S. includes Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
FLREA Copyright 2011

21. “Law of the Blood”
Principle in which citizenship is determined by parentage rather than by place of birth.
The U.S. recognizes children born abroad to American citizens as citizens .
FLREA Copyright 2011

22. To Sum It Up…
Law of the Soil – WHERE you are born (must be within the United States or territory/possession)
Law of the Blood – WHO you are born to S B
FLREA Copyright 2011

23. How to become a citizen of the United States
Naturalized Citizen

24. Defining Immigrants, Residents, and Aliens
A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country.
A resident is someone who has been legally allowed to live in the United States, but is not a citizen; lawful permanent resident
Any person not a citizen or national of the United States.
Resident
Those who have legal status in the United States are known as “lawful permanent residents”, "Permanent Resident Alien," "Resident Alien Permit Holder," and "Green Card Holder”.

25. Becoming a Citizen of the United States

26. To Become a Naturalized Citizen…
Go over the chart provided to explain the naturalization process. Permanent residents also must establish “continuous residence” in the U.S., meaning they cannot leave the country for trips longer than 6 months.
There are special considerations for those who serve in the military or served during times of war/conflict.

27. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens
and Obligations (or Duties)
Discuss (briefly) the rights, responsibilities, and obligations that citizens of the United States have.
The chart provided is from the United States Center for Immigration Services.

28. Poster Walkabout
You are going to be visiting three posters in a small group. Each poster will be labeled with: society, government, and political process. In your group, write about the impact that the naturalization has on society, government, and the political process.
What impact does the naturalization process have on:
Society?
Government?
Political process?
The following slides will provide a brief overview of what is meant by “society”, “government”, and “political process”. Then, divide the class into six groups. Place 6 posters around the room: 2 labeled society, 2 labeled government, and 2 labeled political process. Assign each group to a poster. Students should rotate 3 times, visiting “society”, “government”, and “political process” once. Once they have completed the walkabout, return to slides to discuss what is written on the posters and the talking points included in the notes.
What do you think?

29. Society Think about the impact naturalization has on our culture.
Before the walkabout: explain what is meant by society.
After the walkabout: In addition to what the students have explained on their posters, discuss the diversity that comes from having naturalized citizens in our society. The United States is one of the most diverse countries in the world with a wide range of cultures (including religions, languages, food, music, and more). The U.S. has been called a melting pot (where cultures come together to make up the U.S.) and a salad bowl (where everyone keeps their individual identity but comes together to make a complete society).
Society

30. Think about the debates you hear about immigration among government officials.
Before the walkabout: explain what is meant by “government”.
After the walkabout: In addition to what the students have explained on their posters, discuss how immigration policy is a controversial topic in government and different groups have different approaches on immigration – from how to address illegal immigrants within the United States to the role of legal immigrants to
Position of the Democratic Party on immigration (
That’s why Democrats support comprehensive reform grounded in the principles of responsibility and accountability:
Responsibility from the federal government to secure our borders: The Obama administration has dedicated unprecedented resources to securing our borders and reducing the flow of illegal traffic in both directions.
Responsibility from unscrupulous businesses that break the law: Employers who exploit undocumented workers undermine American workers, and they have to be held accountable.
Responsibility from people who are living in the United States illegally: Undocumented workers who are in good standing must admit that they broke the law, pay taxes and a penalty, learn English, and get right with the law before they can get in line to earn their citizenship.
Position of the Republican Party on Immigration (
“In this country, the rule of law guarantees equal treatment to every individual, including more than one million immigrants to whom we grant permanent residence every year. That is why we oppose any form of amnesty for those who, by intentionally violating the law, disadvantage those who have obeyed it. Granting amnesty only rewards and encourages more law breaking.”
“America is proud to be a nation of immigrants. Today’s legal immigrants make vital contributions to every aspect of our nation by enriching our culture and strengthening our economy. But our current immigration system is broken, and President Obama has failed to provide the leadership necessary to repair it. The Republican Party seeks policies that secure our border and boosts our economy.”
Government

31. Think about the roles that naturalized citizens play in the processes of our government (elections, jury service, running for office)
Before walkabout: explain what is meant by political process.
After walkabout: In addition to what the students have explained on their posters, discuss that citizens, both natural born and naturalized, have rights and responsibilities in the United States, including voting, jury service, running for political office, and being active in the civic life of our nation.
Political Process

32. Checking for Understanding