1. Chapter 3-The Meaning of Citizenship
Civics
Chapter 3-The Meaning of Citizenship

2. What is civics anyway?
The study of what it means to be an American citizen.
A citizen is a person with certain rights and responsibilities under a government

3. Who Are U.S. Citizens? Three ways:
You can gain citizenship by birth or a special naturalization process
You are a citizen if one or both of your parents are citizens
You are a citizen even if you are born somewhere else and your parents are citizens

4. Naturalization
A person without U.S. citizenship that has gone through the process of becoming a citizen

5. Immigrants People who came from other lands
The first immigrants to America where the Native Americans

6. U.S. Immigration Policy
Today there is a quota on immigration which means only a certain number of people are permitted to enter
In the early 1800’s, the U.S. had an “open door” policy

7. Immigration Today
The United States admits approximately 900,000 legal immigrants every year, and annual immigration is swelled by another 300,000 people who illegally cross the borders of the United States.
The INS estimates that about 5 million illegal aliens currently reside in the United States.

8. Who Are Aliens? NOT THESE ALIENS!
People in the U.S. who are citizens of other countries.
Some are here to visit, work, or go to school; but are expected to return home.
They must obey the laws while they are here.
They cannot vote or hold a government office while here.
Cannot attend public school
Have to register with the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service)
NOT THESE ALIENS!

9. Illegal Aliens Nearly ½ of all illegal aliens come from Mexico. WHY?
Often work for low wages and move around a lot
If found, they can be deported (sent back to their home country).

10. Who Can Become A Citizen?
Legal permanent resident for 5 years or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen
Lived in the U.S. for at least 2 ½ years or 1 ½ if married to a U.S. citizen
Lived for more than 3 months in the state where you apply for citizenship
18 years or older
Have good moral character

11. The Office of the Citizen
“of the people, by the people, and for the people” –Abraham Lincoln
In other words, we are based on “the consent of the governed”
Representatives are elected to speak and act for fellow citizens in our government

12. Advantages Of Becoming A Citizen
Right to vote
Run for public office
Apply for jobs with the federal government
File to legally bring immediate family members to live in the U.S.
Process of reuniting family goes much faster
Children under the age of 18 automatically become citizens when their parent(s) becomes a citizen
Receive full Social Security benefits
Can live outside of U.S. without losing citizenship

13. Disadvantages Of Becoming A Citizen
Must take an oath of allegiance and renounce loyalty to native country
Property ownership in native country may be a problem
Need a work permit to work in native country
Must pass basic English and U.S. government/history tests
May lose right to vote in native country
May lose citizenship in native country

14. Citizens and losing citizenship
You can decide to give it up
You can have it taken away
You can remain a citizen for life

15. From Alien to Citizenship
Petition for naturalization (file some paperwork) Look at chart on page 57
Take an examination
Prove they can read, write, and speak English
Have a final hearing, where a judge swears them in
Naturalized citizens have all the rights and duties of a citizen by birth EXCEPT the right to be President or Vice President.

16. Rights of a citizen The right to vote and hold public office
The right to say what you think in speech or writing
The right to practice your own religion
The right to have a fair trial
When can rights be denied?
Let’s look at page 60-Korematsu v. US

17. Duties of a good citizen
YOU MUST
Obey the laws
Defend the nation if drafted
Serve on a jury or as a witness in court
Pay your taxes
Attend school

18. Responsibilities (voluntary)
We should contribute toward the common good of our society-we should act in ways that protect the rights of ourselves and others and make our society a desirable place to live
Vote and vote wisely
Hold office or help support those who hold office, influence those who hold office
Participate in elections
Serve your community