What Does It Take To Become a Citizen?

History of U.S. Citizenship

• For centuries, millions of people have immigrated to the United States from all

over the world. But who was denied their equal rights as citizens?

Naturalization Act- 1795

•Naturalization Act provides citizenship to “free white persons”

Potato Famine- 1840s

• Irish Potato Famine spurs a mass immigration to the United States

Naturalization Act- 1870

•The Naturalization act limited American citizenship to “white persons and persons of African

descent”, excluding Asians

Chinese Immigration- 1882

•The Chinese Exclusion Act restricts Chinese immigration

14th Amendment

•Citizenship is granted to all persons born or naturalized in the United

States•Equal rights given to all citizens-

included slaves in the U.S.

Oriental Exclusion Act- 1924

•Oriental Exclusion Act prohibits immigration from Asia, including

foreign-born relatives of U.S. citizens

Korematsu v. U.S.- 1944

•The Supreme Court upheld the decision that the internment of

Japanese Americans is constitutional

1996

•Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act allowed Congress

to make citizenship eligible for public benefits for immigrants

To Become a Citizen…

• There are two ways to become a United States citizen:• 1. By birth—• a. Born in any of the 50 states or District of

Columbia

• 2. Born on American territory• Puerto Rico or Guam• c. Children born to non-U.S. citizens on American

soil

To Become Naturalized…

• Sign a Declaration of Intention • Interview with the USCIS (United States

Citizenship and Immigration Services) • Take a citizenship exam • Oath of allegiance

Immigrants and Aliens in the U.S.

• Aliens vs. Immigrants

• Aliens: a noncitizen of the United States

• Immigrants: one who moves permanently to a new country

Rights of Legal Aliens

• Legal Aliens: • May stay in the U.S. without becoming a

citizen• May hold jobs• Own property• Attend public schools• Receive government services• Carry ID cards

Rights of Citizens

• Citizens:• Vote in elections• Run for office• Serve on juries• Work a government job