Wednesday, August 26
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SSL Parent Verification Forms are due
today! Please have these out.
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You will need your Chapter 1 Outline and
something to write with for today’s lesson.
Chapter One (Section Two)
“Who Are US Citizens?”
Americans Are From Everywhere
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Our country has changed
throughout the years as
various groups have settled
here from other countries
around the world.
They brought with them
different languages, customs,
beliefs, etc.
People who come from other
countries and adopt
American customs are called
immigrants.
Is America a “melting pot”
or “tossed salad”?
So Who Comes to America?
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Aliens are people who live in a
country but are not a citizen of
that country.
 An immigrant is an alien who
plans to remain here. Immigrants
(like citizens) are considered to be
residents of the US – because they
live here permanently or on a
long-term basis.
 Today, most US immigrants come
from Spanish-speaking countries.
Immigration
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Congress has the power to
regulate immigration
(according to the US
Constitution).
Beginning in the 1880s, the
government passed laws
about immigration. An
example of this Chinese
Exclusion Act.
In the 1920s, laws
established quotas to
further limit the number of
people admitted into the
US.
Immigration Policy
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Today the Immigration Act
of 1990 sets a total annual
quota of 65,000 immigrants
permitted.
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Shift towards “those who
want to work and produce
and contribute…” --- people
with special skills, talents
and money- have priority.
Who is a Citizen?
th
The 14 Amendment (1868)
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The “14th
Amendment” to the
US Constitution
defines a U.S. citizen
as anyone “born or
naturalized in the
United States”
“Citizenship by Birth”
“Citizenship by Birth”
Law of Blood – Jus Sanguinis
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The term native born is given
to anyone who is born in the
US or to American parents.
– Both parents are U.S. citizens.
– One parent is a U.S. citizen who
lives in the U.S….
– According to the US Census
Bureau – 87.5% of Americans
are native born.
“Citizenship by Birth”
Law of Soil – Jus Soil
 Born on U.S. soil,
including, territories
or military bases…
 Sometimes people can
be “dual citizens”
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“Citizenship by Naturalization”
If you are not born an American citizen, you can go
through the process of naturalization.
Approximately 12.5% of Americans are naturalized.
FIVE STEP
“Naturalization Process”
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Step #1: Aliens must
apply for a
permanent residency
visa (“green card”)
and wait five years.
“Naturalization Process”
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Step #2: Aliens must apply
for citizenship and file their
“declaration of intention”
with the United States
Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS)…
 To apply for naturalization,
you must be at least 18 years
of age
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Albert Einstein’s
Application
“Naturalization Process”
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Step #3: Aliens must
get fingerprinted.
 Why do we think that
this is an important
step in obtaining
citizenship?
“Naturalization Process”
Step #4: “Aliens” must
be interviewed and pass a
citizenship test with the
USCIS…
 All applicants must take
the Citizenship Exam in
ENGLISH…
 Basic knowledge of
reading, writing, U.S.
history, etc…
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“Naturalization Process”
Step #5: Once the
applicants pass the
“citizenship” exam, they
attend a ceremony…
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Here, the new citizens
pledge their loyalty to the
U.S. and to obey the laws
– Take “Oath of
Allegiance”
“Oath of Allegiance”
(think/pair/share interpretation activity)
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely
renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any
foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or
which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will
support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United
States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I
will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required
by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the
Armed Forces of the United States when required by the
law; that I will perform work of national importance under
civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take
this obligation freely without any mental reservation or
purpose of evasion; so help me God."
Rights of Naturalized Citizens
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A naturalized citizen has
all the same rights and
duties as a natural-born
citizen.
 Examples of Rights
– Hold jobs
– Run for election
– Serve on juries
– Vote
Only exception – naturalized
citizens cannot become the
President!
Can you LOSE your citizenship?
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YES, but it is very rare.
 The U.S. Government has the
power to grant citizenship
AND take it away…
 Most Americans who give up
their citizenship do it
voluntarily…
 CAREFUL: Once you
renounce your citizenship to
the U.S., there is NO going
back or changing your mind…
“Legal Aliens” in America
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There are 21.7 million legal
aliens living in the US.
A legal alien is a citizen of
another country who has
received permission to enter
the US.
“Legal Aliens” do NOT have
full political rights…
They can NOT vote, run for
office, serve on juries, or
hold most government
jobs…
“Illegal Aliens” in America
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Approximately 5 to 6 million
“illegal immigrants” live in the
United States…
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Most enter the U.S. illegally, and
fail to have proper immigration
documentation…
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Many enter the US in search of
jobs, education, healthcare or a
better place to raise their family.
“Illegal Aliens” in America
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“Illegal Aliens” who
are caught are often
deported back to
their country…
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The U.S. “Border
Patrol” is given the
task of preventing
illegal immigration…
Refugees
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Our immigration quota does not
include refugees.
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Refugees are people who are trying
to escape the dangers of their home
countries – fleeing due to
persecution, war, or other crisis
situations.
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1960-1970s – Cuban Refugees to
Florida
The President and Congress set
quotas each year to allow a certain
number of refugees into the US.
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