Download Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities

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© Karalynn Tyler 2015
Citizenship is…
A citizen is a member of a political
community with rights and
responsibilities. After the Civil War,
Congress passed the 14th
Amendment to the Constitution that
helps clarify who is a citizen of the
United States.
The 14th Amendment
says anyone born in
the U.S. is a citizen
and has
Constitutional rights.
There are three ways someone can
become a citizen of the United
States.
Law of the Land
Law of Blood
Naturalization
© Karalynn Tyler 2015
Citizenship: Law of the Land
This is the most common form of citizenship. It applies to anyone born in the United
States or any of its territories: District of Columbia (Washington D.C.), Puerto Rico,
Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and America Samoa.
Law of the Land
People born in the United States or U.S.
territories are automatically U.S. citizens.
Most common form of citizenship.
© Karalynn Tyler 2015
Citizenship: Law of Blood
Law of blood applies to people born to American parents. If a child is born in a
foreign country and one or both parents are United States citizens, they are
automatically a U.S. citizen as long as one or both parents have lived in the United
States for at least 5 years.
Law of Blood
People born in a foreign country to one or
two parents who are U.S. citizens.
At least one parent must have lived in the
U.S. for at least 5 years.
© Karalynn Tyler 2015
Citizenship: Naturalization
People who were born in a foreign country and move to the United States legally by
obtaining a VISA can go through the process of becoming Naturalized. They can apply
for naturalization once they’ve lived in the U.S. for five years.
Naturalization
Naturalization is the process for
immigrants to become American citizens.
Applicants must:
1. Have come to the U.S. legally
2. Have good moral character
3. Read, write, & speak English
4. Take an oath of allegiance to the U.S.
5. Pass a citizenship test
© Karalynn Tyler 2015
Non-Citizen Residents
There are people living in the United
States who are not citizens. They are
called “aliens” because they are not
from this country.
Foreign citizens can come live in the
U.S. legally by obtaining an immigrant
visa. They need to have a permanent
U.S. citizen sponsor them. This could
be a relative, spouse, or potential
employer. There are legal forms to fill
out and monetary fees to pay. An
application for an immigration visa can
be denied. Many people request a visa
to work or attend college in the U.S. An
immigrant living in the U.S. legally on a
visa is called a “Resident Alien”. Visas
have an expiration date and the
immigrant must either renew or return
to their home country.
Resident Alien:
A person from a foreign country
who has legal permission to live in
Illegal Alien: the U.S.
© Karalynn Tyler 2015
Non-Citizen Residents
An immigrant can be granted permanent
residency for a variety of reasons. The U.S.
has quotas, or a maximum number allowed
each year, for immigrants they give
permanent resident status. Examples:
Family-Sponsored
EmploymentBased
Refugees
Sometimes immigrants come
into the United
Resident Alien:
A person from a foreign country
who has legal permission to live in
Illegal Alien: the U.S.
An immigrant who comes to the
U.S. without a legal permit.
States without going through the legal
process. They cross the border of Canada or
Mexico illegally. An immigrant who comes to
live in the U.S. illegally is called an Illegal
Alien. Another common term is
“Undocumented Worker”.
© Karalynn Tyler 2015
U.S. Citizens
-Vote in Elections
Non-Citizens
Both
-Can get a U.S. Passport
-Run for public office
-Can serve on a Jury
-Can become Naturalized
-Apply for a work visa
-Must obey laws
-Can be deported
-Pay income taxes
-Pay sales taxes
© Karalynn Tyler 2015
Free speech!
Rights of Citizenship
Responsibilities of Citizenship
-Constitutional Rights
-Bill of Rights!
-Register to Vote
-Obey laws
-Right to own property
-Pay Taxes
-Right to Vote
-Jury Duty
-Equality under the law
-Become Educated
-Freedom from discrimination
-Respect the rights of others
© Karalynn Tyler 2015