Who are our Who are our citizens?citizens?

The Path The Path to to

CitizenshipCitizenship

Who are America’s Citizens?Who are America’s Citizens?

The U.S. Constitution establishes two ways The U.S. Constitution establishes two ways to become a citizen: to become a citizen:

1.1. by birth by birth

2.2. by by naturalizationnaturalization

1.1. born in a state or the District of Columbia, in an born in a state or the District of Columbia, in an American territory, or on a U.S. military base American territory, or on a U.S. military base overseasoverseas

2.2. both parents are citizens both parents are citizens 3.3. one parent is a citizen who has lived in the US.one parent is a citizen who has lived in the US.

Exception: children of foreign diplomats born in the Exception: children of foreign diplomats born in the U.S. are NOT citizensU.S. are NOT citizens

A child born abroad to American parents may hold A child born abroad to American parents may hold dual citizenship.dual citizenship.

By Birth By Birth

Non-citizens, or Non-citizens, or aliens, aliens, may become may become naturalized citizens. naturalized citizens.

Aliens must file with the Immigration and Aliens must file with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Naturalization Service (INS).

Requirements: Requirements: 1.1. live in the US for 5 years live in the US for 5 years

(or 3 yrs if married to a citizen)(or 3 yrs if married to a citizen)

2. interview with an INS agent2. interview with an INS agent

3. take a citizenship exam 3. take a citizenship exam

By By NaturalizationNaturalization

Time to Think-Time to Think-

Are these people citizens or not?Are these people citizens or not?

Read about your person with your partner. Read about your person with your partner. Decide whether or not they are a citizen Decide whether or not they are a citizen and why or why not. and why or why not.

Aliens in AmericaAliens in America

The US restricts the number of immigrants The US restricts the number of immigrants who can enter the country. who can enter the country.

Many aliens live in the U.S. Many aliens live in the U.S. illegallyillegally. Most . Most come looking for a better life. They come looking for a better life. They live in live in fear that the government will discover and fear that the government will discover and deport them.deport them.

Legal aliensLegal aliens live live like most Americanslike most Americans. They . They may not vote, run for office, or work in most may not vote, run for office, or work in most government jobs. government jobs.

Diversity Diversity in Americain America

A Nation of ImmigrantsA Nation of Immigrants

All U.S. coins include the phrase All U.S. coins include the phrase E pluribus E pluribus unumunum, which means , which means “out of many, one.” This “out of many, one.” This reminds us that many diverse citizens have reminds us that many diverse citizens have joined to create a single, unified nation. joined to create a single, unified nation. All of today’s more than 281 million Americans All of today’s more than 281 million Americans are descended from immigrants. are descended from immigrants. The first Europeans to settle permanently in The first Europeans to settle permanently in North America came from Spain during the North America came from Spain during the 1500s. 1500s. Beginning in the 1600s, people arrived from Beginning in the 1600s, people arrived from France and England. France and England.

A flood of immigrants arrived between A flood of immigrants arrived between 1860 and 1890, many from Denmark, 1860 and 1890, many from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Another flood Norway, and Sweden. Another flood arrived between 1890 and 1924, mostly arrived between 1890 and 1924, mostly from central and eastern Europe.from central and eastern Europe.

Today, Latin America accounts for the Today, Latin America accounts for the largest share of newcomers, followed by largest share of newcomers, followed by Asia.Asia.

Western and central Africans were brought Western and central Africans were brought to America by force and sold as slaves.to America by force and sold as slaves.

A Diverse PopulationA Diverse Population

Americans are ethnically diverse. Whites Americans are ethnically diverse. Whites of European descent are the largest of European descent are the largest group, followed by African Americans and group, followed by African Americans and Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans.and Native Americans.

Religious diversity thrives in the US.Religious diversity thrives in the US.

American culture is a rich blend of varied American culture is a rich blend of varied influences.influences.

Melting PotMelting Pot

Because of our diversity, the U.S. has Because of our diversity, the U.S. has been described as a melting pot. been described as a melting pot. The The ingredients in the pot (different cultures, ingredients in the pot (different cultures, races and religions) are combined so as to races and religions) are combined so as to develop a multi-ethnic society. develop a multi-ethnic society. The term, which originates from the United The term, which originates from the United States, is often used to describe societies States, is often used to describe societies experiencing large scale immigration from experiencing large scale immigration from many different countries. many different countries.

Salad BowlSalad Bowl

The salad bowl concept suggests The salad bowl concept suggests that that many different cultures combine like a many different cultures combine like a salad. Various American cultures are salad. Various American cultures are combined but do not merge together into a combined but do not merge together into a single homogeneous culture; each culture single homogeneous culture; each culture keeps its own distinct qualities. keeps its own distinct qualities. This is often used instead of a This is often used instead of a melting pot melting pot that suggests that ethnic groups are that suggests that ethnic groups are unable to preserve their cultures. unable to preserve their cultures.

A Growing & Changing PopulationA Growing & Changing Population

In the mid-1800s people began moving from In the mid-1800s people began moving from farms to factory jobs in cities. farms to factory jobs in cities. After slavery ended, a migration, or mass After slavery ended, a migration, or mass movement, occurred as African Americans movement, occurred as African Americans left the South seeking jobs in the North. left the South seeking jobs in the North. The average age of citizens is climbing The average age of citizens is climbing upward. More Americans now earn college upward. More Americans now earn college degrees.degrees.Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic group.group.

Unity Among CitizensUnity Among CitizensAmericans share a common civic and Americans share a common civic and political heritage including the ideals of political heritage including the ideals of individual rights, popular sovereignty, equal individual rights, popular sovereignty, equal justice under the law, and majority rule justice under the law, and majority rule through a representative government.through a representative government.

A common language is another source of A common language is another source of unity.unity.

Americans show patriotism—love for one’s Americans show patriotism—love for one’s country. country.

The attacks of September 11, 2001 were The attacks of September 11, 2001 were acts of terrorism. Americans responded acts of terrorism. Americans responded with unity.with unity.

The New Colossus The New Colossus By Emma LazarusBy Emma Lazarus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,With conquering limbs astride from land to land;With conquering limbs astride from land to land;Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall standHere at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flameA mighty woman with a torch, whose flameIs the imprisoned lightning, and her nameIs the imprisoned lightning, and her nameMother of Exiles. From her beacon-handMother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes commandGlows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes commandThe air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries sheWith silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"