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THE BASIS OF CITIZENSHIP. Essential Question. What concepts define the meaning of democracy as expressed in the United States constitutional system?. Fundamental concepts of democracy.
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Essential Question • What concepts define the meaning of democracy as expressed in the United States constitutional system?
Fundamental concepts of democracy • Fundamental worth and dignity of the individual: All persons are entitled to life, liberty, and due process under the law. • Equality: All persons are entitled to equal rights and treatment under the law. • Majority rule: The will of the majority as expressed through elections is fundamental to the American system.
Fundamental concepts of democracy • Minority rights: The Constitution of the United States protects the rights of the few from oppression. • Compromise: The structure of the United States government necessitates compromise by all sides. • Individual freedom: All persons are born free, equal, and independent.
What is Citizenship? • Citizenship: - The rights, privileges and responsibilities accorded to a legal citizen of a political society such as a nation. - A citizen is one who governs, and in turn is governed under the laws of that society.
Citizenship Status • A strong national government requires a strong national citizenry behind it. • Citizenship is not part of the Constitution. • There are no degrees of U.S. citizenship. You are either a full citizen or a non-citizen. - You are first a U.S. citizen and secondly, a citizen of your state. • Dual citizenship is not provided for under the Constitution.
Citizenship Status (cont’d) • U.S. citizenship is a covenant, not a contract. • U.S. citizenship is exclusive and can be lost only by voluntarily renouncing it or by violating provisions of the Constitution.
Responsibilities of a Citizen • Know your rights • Follow the law • Participate in the political process • Vote; serve on juries; serve in the military, or do other national volunteer service (e.g. Peace Corps)
Immigrant: A person who comes to a country to live there with the intent to eventually become a permanent citizen.
By Birth • jus soli = Law of Soil • Born within the U.S., its territories, or any of its possessions, or within a U.S. embassy. • Includes children born of illegal immigrants, travelers and legal aliens while in the U.S. or its possessions.
Through Relation • Jus sanguinus = Law of blood • Born in a foreign country with both parents being U.S. citizens… - OR - • If only 1 parent is a citizen, then he/she must have lived on U.S. territory for at least five years, 2 of those after age 14.
ThroughNaturalization • Qualifications: • Enter the U.S. legally • 5 year minimum residency requirement • Show good moral character • Ability to read, write, and speak English • Pass a test 0n U.S. Government and History • Declare support of our government by taking an oath of loyalty
Voluntarily • Expatriation Giving up your right to be a U.S. citizen in order to be a citizen or resident of another country.
Acts of Rebellion or Treason • Participation in treason or rebellion against the U.S. - Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis lost their citizenship after the Civil War
INVOLUNTARY LOSS • Denaturalization- - A court order by which a naturalized citizen is stripped of their citizenship for a serious offense and deported.
Denaturalization Causes • Fraud or deception after being naturalized (e.g. marriages of convenience) • Lying on citizenship application • Joining a communist party within 5 years of becoming a U.S. citizen • Swearing allegiance, or failing to renounce allegiance, to another nation
Aliens: • Those who live in the country on a temporary basis, approved by the U.S. government, but is not a citizen, or those here illegally for any reason.
Alien Categories • Resident alien: • Has established a permanent residence with the goal of becoming a citizen. • Non–resident alien: • A foreigner permitted to be here for a short time for a specific reason: • guest worker; college student; vacationer; embassy worker; businessman.
Illegal Alien- Someone who has entered the country illegally or overstayed their visa. They can be DEPORTED! - These people are often referred to as “undocumented aliens”
Refugee: • People who flee their country due to political oppression or economic hardship. • They have no permanent status • Enemy alien: • A person of a nation with whom we are at war.