Citizenship & Duties of United States Citizens

What is an immigrant?

What comes to mind when you hear the term “immigrant”?

An immigrant is someone who chooses to move to a new country

Immigrants have brought unique contributions to the United States from homelands all over the world.

The United States is sometimes called a “melting pot” or “patchwork quilt” to illustrate how U.S. society combines aspects of many cultures

• Would this journal from an immigrant that came to Ellis Island be a primary or secondary source?

• Why?

Why do so many immigrants come to the United States?

People immigrate to the United States to escape persecution, war, and natural; disaster; for employment, religious freedoms and educational opportunities. (push/pull factors)

Responsibilities of citizenship

• Citizenship – the combination of duties and rights of a citizen.

• Good citizenship means

• U.S. Citizens rights come with responsibilities…we call these responsibilities, “civic duties.”

Make a graphic organizer in your journal like the one below…

Civic Duties

1. Pay Taxes

• Pay for the benefits and services that citizens receive from the government

(income tax, social security tax, property tax, medicare tax, etc.)

2. Cast an Informed Vote

• Citizens should learn about candidates and issues to make informed decisions when they vote.

3. Serve on Juries

• Serve on juries to decide court cases (jury duty)

4. Serve in the Military

• May need to serve in defense of your country

5. Volunteer for Activities that Promote the Common Good

• Work to protect the environment, support communities, and help the underprivileged.

6. Obey Laws

• Live within the laws