CITIZENSHIP LESSON

​Citizenship means being a member of a country and having full rights and responsibilities under that country’s law. Some people are born a United States citizen. People who are born in the United States are automatically citizens at birth. So are people born outside the U.S. to parents who are both citizens. The rules can get a bit complicated for people born outside the U.S. who have only one citizen parent, but generally they are also citizens at birth.

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​Already a U.S. Citizen?

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​​What if you weren’t born in the U.S. and neither of your parents are U.S. citizens? You can still become a citizen through a process called naturalization. To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have been permanent residents of the United States for 5 years. (There is one shortcut: People who serve in the U.S. military for at least one year can become citizens sooner because they have demonstrated their commitment to the United States.) Applicants must also have good character, speak English, and pass a civics test and an interview. As a final step, they must take an Oath of Allegiance swearing loyalty to the United States and our Constitution.

​​Becoming a U.S. Citizen

​Allegiance: Citizens Owe It

People who go through the naturalization process aren’t the only ones who must be loyal to the United States. All U.S. citizens owe allegiance to our country. Treason is the act of betraying your country, and the U.S. Constitution makes this crime punishable by death! People who were born citizens may not think about allegiance as much as those preparing to take the Oath, but you can probably remember a time when you’ve said this word… Allegiance. Maybe even this morning! Americans often say the Pledge of Allegiance to show loyalty to the United States flag and the nation it stands for.

​Love of Country

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Beyond owing allegiance to the United States, most U.S. citizens feel a deep bond with their country. We call this feeling patriotism. Many citizens get emotional when they hear the national anthem, which is called The Star Spangled Banner. Every July 4th, Americans celebrate Independence Day—the day the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, when the American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. Other national holidays, such as Presidents’ Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, honor the lives and sacrifices of important Americans. Memorial Day and Veterans Day are two national holidays honoring those who lost their lives or served in the U.S. military, and they can be very emotional days for many U.S. citizens.

​The United States is known for the rights and freedoms given to those who live here. The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution are called the Bill of Rights. They list important rights that are guaranteed to all people in the United States—not just citizens! These are rights like the freedom of expression and the freedom to worship, assemble peacefully, and petition the government, as well as the right to be free from unreasonable searches by government officials. But some rights are only for U.S. citizens. These include the right to vote in federal elections, the right to run for federal political office, and the right to serve on a jury.

​Along with all these freedoms come some responsibilities. Everyone in the U.S. is responsible for obeying laws. Citizens are also responsible for voting in elections and serving on juries when asked. (Yes, these are both rights and responsibilities!) Male citizens between ages 18 and 26 must also register with the Selective Service System. In a time of national emergency, this agency is authorized to call up these citizens to serve in the armed forces.

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On the next few slides, Decide whether each person is already a citizen, eligible for naturalization, or must wait to apply:

Natural-Born Citizens

Any person born on American soil is considered a citizen.

As such, a person born in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia
(Washington, D.C.), territories of the United States like Puerto Rico, or
even U.S. military bases in foreign countries, are all considered U.S.
citizens.

This rule even applies to children born on American soil whose parents are
not U.S. citizens - those children still become U.S. citizens at birth!