Becoming a United States Citizen

1
Citizenship

• Lesson 2
• Becoming a United States Citizen

2
The Question of Citizenship

• The Constitution did not define its phrases,
  citizens of the United States, or citizens of
  the states.
• It was not until the Civil War and the adoption
  of the 13th amendment did the need for a
  constitutional definition occur
• 1868 the 14th Amendment was added
• Declared that a person can become an American
  citizen either by birth or naturalization

3
Citizenship By Birth

• Someone born in the U.S. or in one of its
  territories (ex Puerto Rico) becomes a U.S.
  citizen when they are born
• Someone born to American parents in a foreign
  country becomes a U.S. citizen
• A child born to foreign parents in the U.S. also
  becomes a U.S. citizen (parents must be living in
  the U.S. at the time)

4
Acquiring Citizenship by Birth

• Jus Soli
• (law of the soil)

• Jus Sanguinis
• (law of the blood)

• A child becomes a citizen if they are born in the
  U.S., U.S. territories, any U.S. embassy, or
  aboard a U.S. public vessel anywhere in in the
  world

• A child born abroad can become a citizen.
• One parent must be a citizen who has lived in the
  U.S. at some time
• Both parents are citizens who have lived in the
  U.S. for some time

5
Citizenship through Naturalization

• Congress allows people to become citizens of the
  U.S.
• They must be
• At least 18 years old
• Entered legally, lived in the U.S. for at least 5
  years
• Apply for Naturalization
• Be able to speak, read and write English
• Be of good moral character
• Pass a citizenship test
• Take an Oath of Allegiance to the U.S.

6
Can you lose your citizenship?

• Yes, you can
• If you are dishonest when you become a
  naturalized citizen, the court can take away your
  citizenship (called expatriation)
• The process is called denaturalization
• It can only occur through a court order and after
  it has been proven that the person became a
  citizen by fraud or deception
• A person can never gain or lose citizenship by
  marriage