1 / 24

“ Becoming a Citizen”

Explore the history of immigration in the US, the process of becoming a citizen, and the rights of naturalized citizens. Learn about the immigration policy and the factors influencing the influx of immigrants, including Spanish-speaking countries. Discover the different ways one can obtain citizenship, such as through birthright or naturalization. Gain insights into the rights bestowed upon naturalized citizens and the rarity of losing citizenship. Understand the status of legal aliens and the number of residents in the US.

lever
Download Presentation

“ Becoming a Citizen”

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. “Becoming a Citizen”

  2. “Nation of Immigrants” • Since 1820, more than 60 million immigrants have come from other countries around the world to settle in the US. • People who come here from other countries bring with them different languages, customs, beliefs, etc. • Is America a “melting pot” or “tossed salad”?

  3. “Nation of Immigrants” • An alien is a person who lives in a country but is not a citizen of that country. • An immigrant isan alien who plans to remain here. Immigrants (like citizens) are considered to be residents of the US because they live here permanently or on a long-term basis. • Today, many US immigrants come from Spanish-speakingcountries. Why???

  4. Immigration Policy • According to the US Constitution, Congress has the power to regulate immigration. • Congress first began passing laws about immigration in the 1880s. • Example – The Chinese Exclusion Act • In the 1920s, laws established quotasto further limit the number of people admitted into the US.

  5. Immigration Policy • Today the Immigration Act of 1990sets a total annual quota of 675,000immigrants permitted to move to the US each year. • This law gives preference to: - spouses/children - people with special skills, talents & money -“those who work and produce and contribute…”

  6. Who is a Citizen?The 14th Amendment (1868) • The “14thAmendment” to the US Constitution defines a U.S. citizen as anyone “bornornaturalizedin the United States.”

  7. Citizenship by Birth

  8. Citizenship by Birth • The term natural born(or native-born)citizen is given to anyone who is born in the US or to American parents-- by “Blood” or “Soil”. • Law of Blood – Jus Sanguinis • Bothparents are US citizensOR • Oneparent is a US citizen who lives in the US • Law of Soil - Jus Soil • Born on US soil, including territories or military bases…

  9. Citizenship by Birth • According to the US Census Bureau – 86.6% of Americans are native born. • Sometimes people can be dual citizens, or citizens of two different countries at the same time.

  10. Citizenship by NaturalizationIf you are not born an American citizen, you can choose to go through the process of naturalization. Nearly half of foreign-born people living in the US are naturalized citizens.

  11. FIVE STEP Naturalization Process • Step #1: Apply for a permanent residency visa (“green card”) and wait 5 years.

  12. Naturalization Process • Step #2: Apply for citizenship and file a “declaration of intention” with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)… • To apply for naturalization, an applicant must be at least 18years old. Albert Einstein’s Application

  13. Naturalization Process • Step #3: Applicants mustget fingerprinted. • Why would this be an important step in obtaining citizenship?

  14. Naturalization Process • Step #4: Applicants must be interviewed and pass a citizenship test with the USCIS. • All applicants must take the Citizenship Exam in ENGLISH. • The exam tests basic knowledge of reading, writing, U.S. history, Civics, etc…

  15. Naturalization Process Step #5: Once the applicants pass the citizenship exam, they attend a naturalization ceremony. • Here, the new citizens pledge their loyalty to the U.S. and to obey the laws – they take the Oath of Allegiance.

  16. Oath of Allegiance(think/pair/share interpretation activity) "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

  17. Rights of Naturalized Citizens • A naturalized citizen has all the same rightsand dutiesas a native-born citizen. • Examples of Rights: • Hold jobs • Run for office • Serve on juries • Vote *Only exception – naturalized citizens cannot become the President!

  18. Can you LOSE your citizenship?

  19. Can you LOSE your citizenship? • YES, but it is very rare! • The U.S. Government has the power to grant citizenship AND take it away… • Most Americans who give up their citizenship do it voluntarily. • CAREFUL: Once you renounce your citizenship to the U.S., there is NO going back or changing your mind…

  20. Legal Aliens/Residents in America • Alegal alien/residentis a citizen of another country who has received permission to live in the US. • There are approximately 21.7 millionlegal aliens/residents living in the US today. • Legal aliens/residents do NOT have full political rights…they CANNOT vote, run for office, serve on juries, or hold most government jobs…

  21. Undocumented Residents • Approximately11.3 million undocumented residentslive in the United States… (Dept. of Homeland Security) • Some enter the US illegally, and fail to have properimmigration documentation…others may come here legally, but stay past the time their paperwork allows. • Many enter the US in search of jobs, education, healthcare or a better place to raise their family.

  22. Undocumented Residents • Undocumented residents can be deportedback to their country. • The U.S. Border Patrol is given the task of preventing illegal immigration.

  23. Refugees • Our immigration quota does not include refugees. • Refugeesare people who are trying to escape the dangers of their home countries because of persecution, war, or other crisissituations. • The Presidentand Congress set quotas each year to allow a certain number of refugees into the US. • 1960-1970s – Cuban Refugees to Florida…

  24. E Pluribus Unum • Our country has changed throughout the years as various groups have settledhere from other countries around the world. • As read on all US coins, E Pluribus Unum, Latin for “out of many, one” embodies the idea that our country, though diverse and ever-changing, is still one unified nation.

More Related