How to Become a U.S. Citizen

How to Become a U.S. Citizen

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

Vocabulary

• Naturalized citizens- foreign-born people whose parents are not citizens must move to the United States to become naturalized citizens.

• Immigrant- are people who permanently move to a new country

  Deport- to return to the country of origin

• Draft-required military service

Who are U.S. Citizens?

• First, anyone born in the U.S. or a territory it controls is a citizen.

• People born in a foreign country are U.S. citizens if at least one parent is a citizen.

How to become a Naturalized U.S. citizen

• One must be a legal immigrant

• Over the age of 18

• Live in the U.S. for 5 years

• Support themselves financially if not, someone must assume financial responsibility for them.

• Immigrants must be law-abiding and support the Constitution.

• They must understand written and spoken English.

• Show basic knowledge of U.S. history and government. Then take the oath of allegiance to the U.S.

Two differences between naturalized and native-born citizens.

#1 Naturalized citizens can loose their citizenship and be deported

#2 They can not become president or vice president

Duties of Citizenship

#1 Obey laws

For a representative democracy to work, Americans need to fulfill their civic duties. Citizens elect officials to make laws for them. In return, citizens must obey those laws and respect the authorities who enforce them. Obeying laws includes knowing what they are and staying informed about changes. Ignorance of a lwa will not prevent a person from being punished for breaking it.

Duties of Citizenship

#2 Pay Taxes

Another duty is paying taxes for services such as public roads, police, and public schools. People pay sales taxes, property taxes, and tariffs. Many Americans also pay a tax on their income to the federal and state governments

Duties of Citizenship

#3 Men must register with selective service.

Citizens have the duty to defend the nation. Men 18 years or older must register with selective service. In the event of a draft, or required military service, those able to fight are already registered. Although women do not register, many serve in the armed forces.

Duties of Citizenship

#4 Serve on a Jury

Americans have the right to a trial by jury under the Sixth Amendment. To protect this right, citizens should be willing to serve on a jury when they are called. Otherwise, fulfilling each person's Sixth Amendment rights would be difficult.