Citizenship Who are we What do we look

Citizenship

Who are we? What do we look like?

Making a single nation out of such diverse people is difficult. What is a citizen, and what does it take to become an American citizen?

Citizenship • Describes how government ought to treat residents and how those residents ought to act.

Citizenship by Family or Birth • Anyone BORN in the U. S. or Puerto Rico, Guam (U. S. territories) automatically become citizens, even if the parents aren’t citizens • This does not include children born to foreign diplomats serving in the U. S. or children born on foreign ships in U. S. waters.

• Child born outside the U. S. , whose parents are U. S. citizens, are automatically a U. S. citizen • Foreign born children become citizens if American citizens adopt them

U. S. is a Nation of Immigrants • "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door. "

Naturalization The process of becoming a citizen

Immigrants and Citizenship Immigrants must first get permanent resident VISAS You. Tube - United States Citizenship Process – To qualify for citizenship: Live in the U. S. for the required period of time They can read, write and speak English Basic knowledge of American history and government Good moral character They have “attachments to the principles of the U. S. Constitution. ” They support the U. S. You. Tube - Could you pass the new citizenship test?

• Immigrants who serve in the military can more easily gain citizenship.

Nonimmigrants • Many do not come as legal permanent residents –Refugees –Temporary Residents –Illegal Immigrants

• REFUGEES

What is a Refugee? u People from other countries who have been granted Asylum (official protection) u -if they have been threatened in their home country because of their race, religion, or political opinions You. Tube - Angelina Jolie returns to Chad

• Refugees are expected to return home when it is safe to do so. • Refugees who cannot go home may become legal permanent residents after they have lived here continuously for one year. – There are limits on that

Temporary Residents • Visa – document that allows them to be in the country for a specific purpose and a specific length of time. • They are expected to return to their home country – Visitors, students, foreign media

Illegal Immigrants – Who are they? n 1. Temporary residents who remain in the country after their Visa expires. n 2. People who come by avoiding any/all regulations (might not qualify to come here legally)

Problems with illegal immigration u Children of illegal immigrants must be educated. u Immigrants may be entitled to receive some government services u Many pay taxes, others work unofficially and do not pay taxes

What happens if they are caught? • Deported – to send home an immigrant who has violated INS rule

Rights and Responsibilities of Non Citizens Right to due process – fair trial, lawyer Cannot vote in national elections

Why does the U. S. limit immigration? U. S. cannot absorb everyone n When the economy is going through hard times, immigration becomes a bitter issue n Immigration uses social services and community resources n

Amnesty u an act of forgiveness for past offenses, esp. to a class of persons as a whole. u How does this apply to immigration? – If you grant illegal immigrants amnesty, you forgive them for entering illegally, and pave a path for citizenship

Did you know? • It is estimated that by 2050, the nonminority white population will make up barely half of all Americans