Chapter 1
Section 2
The Path to Citizenship
Who are American
citizens?
• The fourteenth Amendment defines
a U.S. citizen as anyone “born or
naturalized in the United States”
2 Ways to become an
American Citizen
• By Birth
• By Naturalization
By Birth
• By being born on American soil
• If both of your parents are American
citizens
• Or if one of your parents are
American citizens that have actually
lived in the united states
Dual Citizenship
• Some circumstances, Americans may
hold dual citizenship.
• A child born abroad to American
parents may be both a U.S. citizen
and a citizen of the country of his or
her birth
Aliens
• NO not this kind.
•Aliens – any noncitizen
living in the united states
•Some come to study, to
work, or to visit relative.
•Some aliens plan to settle
here and become
naturalized citizens.
These are called
Immigrants
Immigrants
• People who move permanently to a
new country and undergo the
naturalization process
The Naturalization
Process
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Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4.
Step 5.
Step 6.
File a Declaration of Intention.
Live in U.S for 5 years
Learn English, Civics, U.S. History.
File an application of Naturalization.
Meeting with an immigration examiner.
Court Appearance/Oath of Allegiance
Citizen for Life
• Only the federal government can
grant or revoke citizenship
• A person can revoke their own
citizenship, but one done can not
regain citizenship
Aliens in America
• The united States restricts the
number of immigrants who can enter
the country.
• Relatives of citizens and people with
needed job skills receive the highest
priority
Immigration Act of 1990
• A new policy that benefits people
with particular skills, talents, or the
money to invest in the economy
Illegal Aliens
• There are 10 to 12 million aliens living
in the United States illegally
• Some enter as temporary visitors but
never leave
• Other risk deportation by illegally
crossing our borders with Mexico and
Canada.
Deportation
• The process of sending an illegal alien
back to their home country.
Legal Aliens
• Aliens who have entered the United
States legally lead lives much like
American citizens.
• They hold jobs, pay taxes, and are entitled
to legal protection
• They can not: vote in election, run for
office, serve on juries, or work in most
government jobs.
• They must also carry identification cards
at all times