1. Bellringer #1
Permanent Residents (people living long-term in the United States but who are not citizens) are obligated to pay taxes, and the men still have to sign up for the selected service, but they cannot vote. Is this fair? Justify your answer.

2. What does it mean to be a citizen?
Lesson 33
What does it mean to be a citizen?

3. Purpose
This lesson examines the concept of “citizen,” how the concept has changed in American history, how one becomes a citizens, and the moral and legal rights and obligations of citizens.

4. Objectives
Explain the meaning of citizenship in the United States, the ways Americans become citizens, and why all American citizens are citizens both of their states and their nation.
Identify essential rights and responsibilities of citizens, and why citizenship is particularly complicated for Native Americans.
Describe the process of naturalization, differences between citizens and resident aliens, and how citizenship can be lost.
Evaluate, take, and defend positions on the legal and moral rights and obligations of citizens.

5. How Americans have thought of Citizenship
Classical Republicanism
Many of the early colonies were called commonwealths, or self-governing communities in which members are expected to help serve the good of all.
Natural Rights
Human communities exist to protect the individuals who belong to them, each of whom is free to pursue his or her own interests salong as their interests do not interfere with the rights of others.
How to Incorporate those virtues/ideas in a larger state
Two approaches
Use religion to instill a sense of civic duty
Use education to teach the principles of self-government

6. Connecting Citizenship with Self-Interest
Tocqueville = French diplomat, political scientist, facinated with America
He wondered: how can self interest lead to civic virtue?
Traditions of local government and habits of free association
New England
Participating in small, local governments helped people see the nature of both their rights and their duties.
Encouraged people to join voluntary organizations
He wrote “Democracy in America” and concluded that one can fulfill private ambitions only if one also contributes to the common good.

7. How Ideas about Citizenship Have Changed
British subjects vs. Americans?
United States vs. YOUR state
Most states welcomed the foreign born (C.C.) because immigrants brought financial and human resources.
Native Americans usually were regarded as members of a foreign nation.
The Founders could not agree on a definition of national citizenship.
The 14th Amendment changed the political climate as it made states regard certain people as citizens.
Jus soli

8. Naturalized Citizens
Citizenship through naturalization may be granted to individuals or entire populations by state or treaty.
Naturalization is tied to U.S. immigrations policies
At least 18 years old
Lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence
Resided continuously in the U.S. for at least five years
Show that they are of good moral character
Demonstrate a belief in and a commitment to the principles of the Constitution of the U.S. (Civics Test)
Are able to read, write, speak, and understand words of ordinary usage in the English language
Take the Oath of Allegiance

9. How Citizenship status of Native Americans has Evolved
Native American tribes were self-governing communities long before Europeans arrived in what is now the United States.
The Constitution does not contain a clear statement of the relationship between Native American tribes and the United States.
1831, Supreme Court changes them to “domestic dependent nations”
Cherokee Nation v. Georgia
In 1924 Congress enacted the Indian Citizenship Act, making Native Americans citizens of the United States and of the states in which they reside.

10. Dual National Citizenship and How U.S. Citizenship can be Lost
Current citizenship and immigrations laws of the United States do not specifically address dual national citizenship
Children born abroad to citizens = citizens
Natural-born citizens cannot be stripped of their citizenship (Trop v. Dulles)
However, you can voluntarily renounce citizenship
Naturalized citizens can also have their citizenship by
Swearing Oath to another country
Revoked through denaturalization
Becoming citizen elsewhere
Conviction of Treason

11. Rights of Citizens and Permanent Residents
The guarantees of equal protection and due process in the Fourteenth Amendment apply to all persons, not just citizens
The guarantees in the Bill of Rights similarly apply to persons, not just citizens
Only the President has to be a natural born citizen, most other offices require just citizenship
Must be a citizen to vote… unless
You’re a felon
Living in a territory

12. Responsibilities of Citizens and Resident Aliens
Everyone has a duty to obey the laws and pay taxes.
Men must register with the Selective Service when they turn eighteen years of age.
Citizens:
Cast informed ballots in elections
Serve on juries