I. Who are citizens?
A. anyone born within US borders
1. includes parents who
are not US citizens, but give birth while in the US
2. citizenship of parents
does not change
3. exception: children
of representatives from other countries born in the US are considered citizens
of that country
B. both parents are US citizens (no matter where the child is born0
C. if one parent is a US citizen and one is not, a child born outside of the US is considered to have dual citizenship (citizenship in 2 countries)
II. Legal & Illegal Aliens
A. Alien - noncitizen
B. Immigrant - aliens who want to move permanently
C. Legal Immigration Act (1990)
1. increased the number
of immigrants allowed to enter the US each year
a. that number now stands at about 700,000 per year
2. eased restrictions based
on political beliefs and gave special consideration to immigrants with
needed job skills
or money to invest in the economy
D. Illegal Aliens
1. deportation - sending
an alien back to his/her home country
E. Legal Aliens
1. CAN - hold jobs, pay
taxes, and attend school
2. CANNOT - vote, hold most
govt. jobs, teach in some states
F. Naturalization - process by which aliens become
citizens
1. 5 Steps...
a. file Declaration of Intention
b. live in US for 5 years (take classes in History, Civics, and/or English
1. only have to wait 3 years if you are married to a US citizen
c. file application for naturalization
d. take multiple choice test
e. court appearance - oath of loyalty
*Natural
born citizen (also called Native born citizen) - US citizen at birth
*Naturalized citizen - gone through process of naturalization
G. Loss of Citizenship
1. citizen for life unless
you...
a. become a natualized citizen of another country
b. threaten to overthrow the govt.
c. serve in the armed forces of another country
d. commit a felony