Wednesday, August 26

1. Wednesday, August 26 SSL Parent Verification Forms are due today! Please have these out. You will need your Chapter 1 Outline and something to write with for today’s lesson.

2. Chapter One (Section Two)“Who Are US Citizens?”

3. Americans Are From Everywhere • Our country has changed throughout the years as various groups have settledhere from other countries around the world. • They brought with them different languages, customs, beliefs, etc. • People who come from other countries and adopt American customs are called immigrants. • Is America a “melting pot” or “tossed salad”?

4. So Who Comes to America? • Aliens are people who live in a country but are not a citizen of that country. • An immigrant is an 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, most US immigrants come from Spanish-speaking countries.

5. Immigration • Congress has the power to regulate immigration (according to the US Constitution). • Beginning in the 1880s, the government passed laws about immigration. An example of this Chinese Exclusion Act. • In the 1920s, laws established quotasto further limit the number of people admitted into the US.

6. Immigration Policy • Today the Immigration Act of 1990sets a total annual quota of 65,000immigrants permitted. • Shift towards “those who want to work and produce and contribute…” --- people with special skills, talents and money- have priority.

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

8. “Citizenship by Birth”

9. “Citizenship by Birth”Law of Blood – Jus Sanguinis • The term native born is given to anyone who is born in the US or to American parents. • Both parents are U.S. citizens. • One parent is a U.S. citizen who lives in the U.S…. • According to the US Census Bureau – 87.5% of Americans are native born.

10. “Citizenship by Birth” • Law of Soil – Jus Soil • Born on U.S. soil, including, territories or military bases… • Sometimes people can be “dual citizens”

11. “Citizenship by Naturalization”If you are not born an American citizen, you can go through the process of naturalization. Approximately 12.5%of Americans are naturalized.

12. FIVE STEP “Naturalization Process” • Step #1: Aliens must apply for a permanent residency visa (“green card”) and wait five years.

13. “Naturalization Process” • Step #2: Aliens must apply for citizenship and file their “declaration of intention” with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)… • To apply for naturalization, you must be at least 18 years of age • Albert Einstein’s Application

14. “Naturalization Process” • Step #3: Aliens must get fingerprinted. • Why do we think that this is an important step in obtaining citizenship?

15. “Naturalization Process” • Step #4: “Aliens” must be interviewed and pass a citizenship test with the USCIS… • All applicants must take the Citizenship Exam in ENGLISH… • Basic knowledge of reading, writing, U.S. history, etc…

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

17. “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."

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

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” in America • There are 21.7 million legal aliens living in the US. • A legal alienis a citizen of another country who has received permission to enter the US. • “Legal Aliens” do NOT have full political rights… • They can NOTvote, run for office, serve on juries, or hold most government jobs…

21. “Illegal Aliens” in America • Approximately 5 to 6 million “illegal immigrants” live in the United States… • Most enter the U.S. illegally, and fail to have properimmigration documentation… • Many enter the US in search of jobs, education, healthcare or a better place to raise their family.

22. “Illegal Aliens” in America • “Illegal Aliens” who are caught are often 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. • Refugees are people who are trying to escape the dangers of their home countries – fleeing due to persecution, war, or other crisissituations. • 1960-1970s – Cuban Refugees to Florida • The President and Congress set quotas each year to allow a certain number of refugees into the US.