1. What does it mean to be a citizen of the United States?
Citizenship
What does it mean to be a citizen of the United States?

2. Who is a citizen?
CITIZEN – A person with certain rights and duties under a government
You are a citizen of your town, your state and your nation
What does our Constitution say?

3. Who is a citizen?...Continued
According to the Constitution, an American citizen is a person who by birth OR by choice, owe allegiance, or loyalty, to a nation
LEGALLY you are a citizen if:
You were born in the United States or in one of its territories
At least ONE of your parents was a United States citizen when you were born
You have been naturalized – gone through the process of becoming a citizen
OR you were under the age of 18 when your parents were naturalized

4. Naturalization
Alien – a citizen of one country that lives in another country
After aliens become citizens, they are entitled to the same rights and duties as citizens by birth EXCEPT the right to be President or Vice President
Once you’re a citizen you’re always a citizen unless you give up your citizenship to become a citizen of another country OR it can be taken away if you’re convicted of trying to overthrow the U.S. government by force

5. Naturalization Process
STEP 1 - APPLICATION
Submit an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

6. Naturalization Process…Continued
STEP 2 - EXAM
An applicant MUST prove the following qualifications for citizenship:
Must be 18 or older
Legal residence in the country for at least 5 years; in the state for at least 3 months
Good moral character (i.e. not having been convicted of certain crimes)
Loyalty to the principles of the U.S. Constitution
Ability to read, write, and speak the English language
Knowledge of the history and form of government of the United States

7. Better make sure you know EVERYTHING…

8. Naturalization Process…Continued
STEP 3 – FINAL HEARING
Applicant appears before a citizenship court
A judge asks the applicant to take an oath of loyalty to the United States
The applicant receives a certificate of citizenship

9. Rights, Duties, Responsibilities
So what does it all matter?

10. Office of Citizen
“A government of the people, by the people, for the people.” – Abraham Lincoln
Our government can make laws only if we, the citizens, want it to.
Citizens have the power to decide what our government will and will not do.
The real power belongs to US
i.e. If citizens are unhappy with a government official, they can vote the person out of office

11. Rights vs. Duties RIGHTS DUTIES
These rights are based on the beliefs and values (remember Equality, Freedom and Justice??)
THE RIGHT to vote and hold office
THE RIGHT to say what you think in speech or in writing
THE RIGHT to practice your own religion
THE RIGHT to a fair trial
By performing these duties, we, as citizens, support our government’s efforts to meet our needs as a society.
Obeying the law
Defending the nation
Serving on a jury OR as a witness in court
Paying taxes
Attending school

12. DUTY – Obeying the Law
Rule of Law – concept of a government of laws, rather than of men and women
In a democracy, NOBODY – not even the President – is above the law
What types of governments don’t agree with the Rule of Law?

13. DUTY – Defending the Nation
The United States maintains armed services even in peacetime. By doing this, America can defend itself in case of attack and can help out other countries protect themselves
When you’re 18 or older, you can volunteer to serve
At age 18, men MUST register for military service
Doesn’t mean that you’ll serve, but that you can be called up if need be (i.e. Vietnam and the draft.)

14. DUTY – Serving on a Jury
One of our most basic rights is the right to a fair trial…no person may be found guilty of a crime unless it’s proved “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Constitution guarantees a that you may have a case heard by a jury of peers – group of ordinary citizens who hear the case and decide whether the accused is innocent or guilty
Serve as a witness

15. DUTY – Taxes
Are you a taxpayer? Every wonder where your paycheck goes…
What kind of taxes do you pay?
Income, Property, State, Sales, etc.
Where’s it all go??
Government raises money to pay for goods and services that citizens as them to pay for (i.e. education, road improvement, infrastructure, Medicare/Medicaid, Food stamps, etc.

16. DUTY – Attending School
Society depends on schools to make sure that young people are prepared for the future.
School gives students the knowledge, skills and experiences they need in order to carry out the duties and responsibilities that are expected of them
You need to be educated on our history, our government, and workings of our society

17. Responsibilities of Citizens
Difference between a duty and responsibility? A responsibility is voluntary – it’s fulfilled by choice.
Working for the Common Good
Voting
Holding government office
Participating in Election Campaigns
Serving the Community

18. RESPONSIBILITY – Voting
One of the basic rights of American citizens and one of our most important responsibilities
Vote on all levels – local, state and federal – as well as an array of issues

19. RESPONSIBILITY – Elections
Run for office yourself
Volunteer
Carrying campaign signs
Stuffing envelopes
Canvassing
Make your voice heard
Express your opinions in letters, write opinion pieces in local newspapers/magazines
Speak out at city-council meetings or even just attend!

20. RESPONSIBILITY – Serve
Not all of the responsibilities of citizenship are directly connected to government!
We’re ALL responsible for making our communities better places to live.
Everything from treating others with respect to helping to clean up litter in your school or outside contributes to fulfilling that “office of citizen.”