What is Citizenship

1. What is Citizenship GOVT.17 The student will demonstrate knowledge of personal character traits that facilitate thoughtful and effective participation in civic life by a) practicing trustworthiness and honesty; b) practicing courtesy and respect for the rights of others; c) practicing responsibility, accountability, and self-reliance; d) practicing respect for the law; e) practicing patriotism; f) practicing financial responsibility. GOVT.18 The student will understand that thoughtful and effective participation in civic life is characterized by a) obeying the law and paying taxes; b) serving as a juror; c) participating in the political process; d) performing public service; e) keeping informed about current issues; f) respecting differing opinions in a diverse society; g) practicing personal and fiscal responsibility. GOVT.19 The student will explain the meaning of citizenship in the United States and how it relates to American civic life by a) explaining how citizenship confers full membership in the American constitutional system; b) recognizing that American citizenship is defined by shared political and civic beliefs and values; c) describing how Americans are citizens of their locality, state, and nation; d) recognizing that noncitizens can become citizens.

2. VOCABULARY Use the PPT presentation to define the following terms in your notebook Cornell style • Natural born citizen • Ideological Consensus • US National • Immigrants • Derivative Citizenship • Acquired Citizenship • Jus Sanguinis • Jus Soli • Naturalization • INS • Green Card • Documented alien • Undocumented alien • Abroad • Good moral character

3. THINK as you read. . 1. Why do you think the law of American Citizenship under Jus-Soli is controversial? 2. Explain ideological consensus and list several examples. 3. Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution? When was it added? How many amendments were added?  4. What does citizen participation in government ensure? Why is this important? 5. What is the most important right and responsibility we have as citizens? 6. List 10 actions that promote thoughtful and effective participation in civic life 7. Why is it important that citizens of every age and background participate in civic life?

4. What is American Citizenship? Except for Native Americans, the United States is a nation of people who left their home country looking for a better life (immigrants). The United States is sometimes called the American "melting pot, salad bowl or pizza,", that’s because the population of the United States is made up of a mixture of people from different countriesaround the world.

5. The next time you are in the mall, look around. Everyone around you is different. Some may even speak languages other than English. Although most people there were probably born in the United States, at some point in our past one of our ancestors left their home country and came to the United States.

6. Although we come from many different cultural backgrounds, Americans share political and civic beliefs and values; that is, we share a broad ideological consensus. What this means is that while we have many political differences over certain issues, for the most part we agree on the big stuffsuch as freedom of and from religion, that laws must protect children, racial discrimination is wrong etc.

7. living in the United States doesn't automatically make one an American citizen. Residents of the United States can be citizens, aliens or nationals, Natural Born Citizen: A "natural born" citizen is a person who is entitled to U.S. citizenship in one of 2 ways: by birth to parent(s) with American citizenship. (Jus Sanguinis-citizenship inherited by blood)Even persons born abroad to U.S. citizen(s)-parent(s) automatically inherit American citizenship.

8. The other way in which a person is considered a natural born citizen is by being born "in" the United States and under its jurisdiction, (Jus Soli-citizenship by birth on American soil) whether their parents are documented or undocumented aliens. (look up)

9. Aliens: Aliens are people who have left (emigrated) a foreign country to the United States. They hold what is commonly known as a “Green Card” which means they are lawful permanent residents of the US and as such, they have some of the same freedoms, and legal protection of their rights as U.S. citizens, but they cannot vote in elections or hold elected office.

10. US National: American nationals are natives of American territorial possessions such as Guam, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. They have all the legal protections which citizens have, but they do not have the full political rights of US citizens such as voting in all elections.

11. Derivative Citizenship • Through their parents' naturalization, some children become U.S. citizens automatically, or "derivatively."  In general, children become U.S. citizens derivatively through their parents' naturalization as long as all of the following requirements are met before the child's 18th birthday: • At least one parent is a U.S. citizen, • The child is under 18 years of age, and • The child is admitted to the United States as an immigrant.

12. Acquired CitizenshipA child might have "acquired" U.S. citizenship at birth without knowing, or without the parents knowing, if they were born outside the United States and either parent was a U.S. citizen when the child was born.  (Jus Sanguinis- Citizenship inherited by blood) This might also be true even if neither parent was born in the United States, but one or more of the grandparents were. 

13. Naturalization Persons born in other countries who want to become citizens must apply for and pass a citizenship test. Those who become citizens in this manner are naturalized citizens. This process requires a foreign national to show the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)– the government agency that regulates questions of citizenship -- that they meet certain legal requirements for becoming a U.S. citizen."This process can take 3-10 years. One must demonstrate "good moral character" to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. 

14. What is good moral character & how can it help us toenjoy thoughtful and effective participation in civic life? a) practicingtrustworthiness and honesty; b) practicingcourtesy and respect for the rights of others; c) practicingresponsibility, accountability, and self- reliance; d) practicingrespect for the law; e) practicingpatriotism; f) practicingfinancial responsibility.

15. Rights of Citizenship When the Constitution was ratified in 1789, many people were concerned that it did not protect certain freedoms. They thought that the Constitution should be changed or amended to protect these freedoms.

16. On December 15, 1791, ten amendments were added to the Constitution. These amendments guarantee certain freedoms and rights, so they are known as the The Bill of Rights.

17. All citizens and most others who are legally in the US are protected by the Bill of Rights. Some of the freedoms and rights protected in the Bill of Rights include: • Freedom of Religion • Freedom of Assembly • To Keep and Bear Arms • Freedom of Speech • Freedom of the Press • Protection for those Accused of Crimes

18. Advantages of Citizenship • One of the greatest advantages of US citizenship is the right to vote in local and national elections.  By voting, US citizens can influence local, state, and federal politics.  • Citizens can elect political representatives and make their voices heard on taxes, schools, and foreign policy, among other issues.  

19. US citizens can also be elected to public office.  Additionally, they are eligible for certain unelected government jobs and certain jobs requiring security clearances that are not available to Green Card holders. 

20. Responsibilities of Citizenship Because the US is a democracy, citizens can participate in their government. This process insures that power will always remain where it belongs - with the people.

21. Responsibilities of Citizenship continued The most important right citizens have is also a responsibility-voting. Through voting, WE The People decide who will represent us in the government, and may also voice our opinion on public policies. By voting and running for office, US citizens can make a big impact in the accountability and efficiency of the US government.

22. Responsibilities of Citizenship continued Thoughtful and effective participation in civic life requires that we: • Obey the laws of the community, state and country in which we live. • Respect the rights of others. • Pay the income and other taxes honestly and on time. • Take responsibility for our financial literacy • Work and be financially responsible. • Serve on a juryif called upon (citizens only)

23. living in the United States doesn't automatically make one an American citizen. Residents of the United States can be aliens,nationals, or citizens. • Natural Born Citizen:  "natural born" citizen would mean a person who is entitled to U.S. citizenship "by birth" either by being born "in" the United States and under its jurisdiction, even those born to alien parents; (Jus Soli) or by being born abroad to U.S. citizen-parents (Jus Sanguinis); or by being born in other situations meeting legal requirements for U.S. citizenship "at birth". • Aliens: Aliens are people who have left (emigrated) a foreign country to the United States. They have some of the same freedoms and legal rights as U.S. citizens, but they cannot vote in elections.

24. US National: American nationals are natives of American territorial possessions. They have all the legal protections which citizens have, but they do not have the full political rights of US citizens.

25. Derivative Citizenship • Through their parents' naturalization, some children become U.S. citizens automatically, or "derivatively."  In general, children become U.S. citizens derivatively through their parents' naturalization as long as all of the following requirements are met before the child's 18th birthday: • At least one parent is a U.S. citizen, • The child is under 18 years of age, and • The child is admitted to the United States as an immigrant.

26. Acquired CitizenshipA child might have "acquired" U.S. citizenship at birth without knowing, or without the parents knowing, if they were born outside the United States and either parent was a U.S. citizen when the child was born.  (Jus Sanguinis- Citizenship inherited by blood) This might also be true even if neither parent was born in the United States, but one or more of the grandparents were. 

27. Naturalization • A process where you show the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)– the government agency that regulates questions of citizenship -- that you meet certain legal requirements for becoming a U.S. citizen is called "naturalization." This process can take 3-10 years. • You must have "good moral character" to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.  This is only a legal phrase.  You might know a person whom you think of as a "good person" but Immigration might deny them citizenship because of they may have failed to meet this legal standard.

28. Rights of Citizenship When the Constitution was ratified in 1789, many people were concerned that it did not protect certain freedoms. They thought that the Constitution should be changed or amended to protect these freedoms.

29. On December 15, 1791, ten amendments were added to the Constitution. These amendments guarantee certain freedoms and rights, so they are known as the The Bill of Rights.

30. All citizens and most others who are legally in the US are protected by the Bill of Rights. Some of the freedoms and rights protected in the Bill of Rights include: • Freedom of Religion • Freedom of Assembly • To Keep and Bear Arms • Freedom of Speech • Freedom of the Press • Protection for those Accused of Crimes

31. Responsibilities of Citizenship Because the US is a democracy, citizens can participate in their government. This process insures that power will always remain where it belongs - with the people.

32. Responsibilities of Citizenship continued The most important right citizens have is also a responsibility-voting. Through voting, WE The People decide who will represent us in the government, and may also voice our opinion on public policies.

33. Responsibilities of Citizenship continued Thoughtful and effective participation in civic life requires that we: • Obey the laws of the community, state and country in which we live. • Respect the rights of others. • Pay the income and other taxes honestly and on time. • Take responsibility for our financial literacy • Work and be financially responsible. • Serve on a juryif called upon (citizens only)

34. What is good moral character & how can it help us toenjoy thoughtful and effective participation in civic life? a) practicingtrustworthiness and honesty; b) practicingcourtesy and respect for the rights of others; c) practicingresponsibility, accountability, and self- reliance; d) practicingrespect for the law; e) practicingpatriotism; f) practicingfinancial responsibility.