CITIZENSHIP

  1. What does it mean to be a good citizen?
  1. Who are citizens?
    1. anyone born with US borders becomes a citizen
      1. includes parents who are not US citizens but give birth while in US
      2. citizenship of parents does not change
      3. exception: children of representatives of other countries born in US are considered citizens of that country
    1. anyone whose parents are both US citizens is automatically a US citizen wherever he/she is born
    2. if one parent is US citizen and one is not, child born outside US is considered to have dual citizenship
  1. Legal & Illegal Aliens
    1. Alien - noncitizen
    2. Immigrant - aliens who want to move permanently
    3. Legal Immigration Act (1990)
      1. increased number of immigrants allowed to enter the US every year
      2. eased restrictions based on political beliefs, gave special consideration to people with needed job skills or money to invest in US economy.
    1. Illegal Aliens
      1. deportation - sending alien back to own country

E. Legal Aliens
      1. have it easier than illegal aliens - can hold jobs, pay taxes, attend school.
      2. CANNOT - vote, hold most govt. jobs, teach (some states)
      3. MUST - carry ID card at all times
    1. Naturalization Process

**Naturalization - process by which aliens become citizens
      1. file Declaration of Intention - may do this at any time
      2. Live in US for 5 years (take classes in History, Civics, English)

        3. a. aliens married to US citizen must wait only 3 years

      3. Application for naturalization (must be at least 18 years old)
      4. Examination - multiple choice questions
      5. Court appearance - Oath of Loyalty
    1. Loss of Citizenship

**citizens for life, usually
      1. However, one can lose citizenship for -

        2. a. becoming naturalized citizen of another country (divided loyalty)

      2. threatening to overthrow the govt.
      3. serving in armed forces of another country

**b & c have come under question in recent years