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Understand what it means to be a citizen, who qualifies for citizenship, the process of naturalization, and the power citizens hold in the government.
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Chapter 24, section 1 What it means to be a citizen!
Who is a citizen? • A citizen is a person with certain rights and duties under a government. • Our Constitution says that a citizen of the United States is a person who, by birth or choice, owes allegiance to this nation.
Who is a citizen? 3. You are legally an American citizen is any of the following statements is true: a. You were born in the United States or in one of its territories. b. At least one of your parents was a United States citizen when you were born. As long as one of your parents in a United States citizen, it doesn’t matter where you were born. c. You have been naturalized, which means that you have gone through the process of becoming a citizen. d. You were less than eighteen years old when your parents were naturalized.
Becoming a citizen • When an immigrant comes to this country, they are considered an alien. • An alien is a citizen of one country who lives in another country. • As aliens, they have many of the same rights and duties as American citizens. • However, they cannot vote of hold government office.
Quick Write • Imagine you were born in another country. (You can pretend you were from any country you want.) Would you want to become an American citizen? Why or why not? • I would want to, because while we have some problems with our society, I still think it’s a great country.
Naturalization • To become a citizen, an immigrant goes through a process called naturalization. • Three steps to naturalization: • Application • Examination • Final hearing
Naturalized citizens • Naturalized citizens have all the same rights and duties of citizens by birth except the right to be President or Vice President. • You must have been born in the United States to become the President or Vice President.
The office of citizen • Each citizen holds a very important position of authority. • When we say that the power of our government is based on “the consent of the governed,” we mean that citizens have the power to decide what our government will and will not do. • However, it would be impossible for each citizen to represent himself or herself in government. • As citizens, we elect representatives. Representatives are people who are chosen to speak and act for their fellow citizens in government.
The office of citizen • We elect members of Congress as well as the President, city council members, mayors, governors, and many of our judges. • They have the power to make decisions and pass laws. • However, our representatives hold office only as long as we want them to. • If citizens are unhappy with the way someone represents them in government, for example, they can vote the person out of office.
Exit Slip! Summarize the four ways in which you can become a U.S. citizen. • 1. be born in the U.S. • 2. at least one of your parents was a U.S. citizen when you were born • 3. become naturalized • 4. be less then 18 when your parents become naturalized
THINK ABOUT IT... What would happen if we did not have the opportunity to elect representatives?
NATURALIZATION TEST Could you become a U.S citizen??? http://www.studenthandouts.com/01-Web-Pages/New%20Folder%20(3)/Batch-01-MC-INS-United-States-Immigration-Citizenship-Practice-Test-Questions-Multiple-Choice.html
