What is Civics?Civics = from the Greek word civis, meaning the

STUDY OF CITIZENSHIP and GOVERMMENT

Civics is the relationship between people and government.

Who Are America’s Citizens?

American Population

• In the late 1700s, there were less than 4 million people living in modern day U.S.

• Today, there are more than 300 million people living in the U.S.

National PopulationCensus—count of individuals living in US

• Started in 1790

• Determines total number of individuals in US

Why is a census necessary?• To determine representation in Congress

• Asks many other questions to find out information about the lives of Americans

• Count indicates migration (movement) within the US

Who Conducts the Census?• US Department of

Commerce completes the census

How often?

• Census is taken every 10 years

What is a citizen?• A citizen is a

native or naturalized member of a country who owes that country’s government their allegiance.

Citizen by Birth

• If you were born in any state or in the District of Colombia

• If you were born in any American territory

• If you were born anywhere in the world to one or both American parents

• If you are born on U.S. soil

• Americans may hold dual citizenship with another country

Naturalization ProcessA legal process to attain

citizenship

1. Declaration of Intention filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigrants Services

2. Must live in U.S. for at least 5 years (3 if married)

3. Interview and Examination with the U.S.C.I.S.

4. Oath of Allegiance and signing of documents

Sample INS Questions• What is the economic system in the U.S?

• What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?

• What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?

• The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

• There were 13 original states. Name three.

• Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

• What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

• Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Three Ways to Lose Citizenship

• Denaturalization – Loss of citizenship through fraud or deception during the naturalization process.

• Expatriation – Giving up one’s citizenship by leaving one’s native country to live in a foreign country.

• Punishment for a Crime – May lose citizenship when convicted of certain federal crimes that involve extreme disloyalty

Illegal Aliens• Only 650,000 immigrants are

accepted a year.

• Some 12 million illegal aliens are living in the U.S.

• Some are refused admission and some never apply for fear of rejection.

• They come for “work and a better life”.

• Live in fear of being deported (being sent back to their home country).

• U.S. Border patrol detects and prevents illegal entry of aliens in the U.S.

Legal Aliens

• A resident alien is a person from a foreign country who has established permanent residence in the U.S.

• They may stay as long as they wish without becoming citizens.

• A nonresident alien is someone who expects to stay in the U.S. for a short, specified period.

• Refugees are people fleeing their country to escape persecution.

Legal Aliens• Legal aliens may hold jobs, own property,

attend school, and receive government services.

• They pay taxes and are entitled to legal protection.

• They do not have full political rights- Can’t vote or run for office, may not serve on juries or work most government jobs

• Aliens must carry identification cards at all times.

Noncitizens (cont.)

• The rights of a LEGAL alien/immigrant are the same as US citizens EXCEPT:

• Can’t vote/hold political office

• Have the same legal rights as citizens but may be deported (sent back to home country if they break the law)

• Aliens may work in or visit the US

• Alien is anyone within the US that is NOT a US Citizen.

REFUGEES

• Refugees—any individual or group fleeing their home country due to persecution by their government.

• Persecution–punishment or harassment on the basis of race, religion or political opinion

• Reasons for Refugees

• 1) Religious

• 2) Political

• 3) Economic

• 4) Cultural

Immigration Reform – Immigration Revision Act of 1990

Significance: This legislation has been seen as a return to the pre-1920’s open door immigration policy of the United States. It allowed for an increase in the number of legal immigrants into the United States and waived many of the conditions that had previously restricted immigration of certain groups. The act allowed for sanctuary in the country and increased the numbers of work visas and visas awarded to immigrants hoping to become permanent residents of the United States.http://immigrationtounitedstates.org/592-immigration-act-of-1990.html

GovernmentGovernment = A SMALL group of people ruling over a LARGE group of people

Laws = rules/regulations of individuals/groups

Four (4) Functions of Government

1- Keep Order—make laws and consequences• Laws passed/Police enforce/Courts convict

2- Provide Security—Prevents crime and protects citizens.• Military

3- Provide Public Services—Meets needs of the masses.• Fire Department, Water & Sewer, Hospitals, Transportation

4- Guiding Community—Achieve Community GOALS!• Develop Public Policy (course of action)

• Economic Plan = Budget (collect and spend)

DEMOCRACY- “Ruled by the People”

• Republic-representative government

• Democracy-a government in which citizens hold the power to rule

• The people elect those who govern (representation)

• 2 types:

• Direct democracy-people vote firsthand on all issues (some New England towns)

• Representative democracy-people elect individuals to vote on issues (Congress, Governor, etc.)

Characteristics:

• Majority rules: more than 50% of the vote wins

• Private ownership of property/businesses

The Citizen and the Community

We all have certain responsibilities and duties to uphold/perform in our community.

• Responsibilities - things we should do; they are obligations that we fulfill voluntarily

• Duties - things that we must do

A Citizen’s Legal Duties

• Obey laws

• Pay taxes

• Defend the nation• All men aged 18-25

are required to register for the draft (to call up people for military service – Selective Service Act)

• Serve in court

• Attend school

Civic Responsibilities

• Be informed of current events.

• Vote“The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a president and senators and congressmen and government officials but the voters of this country.”

~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Civic Responsibilities Cont.

• Participate in community events

• Respect other’s property

• Respect other’s rights

• Respect diversity• Tolerance - respecting

and accepting others, regardless of their beliefs, practices, or differences

• Contribute to the common good

Rights of Citizens

Sources of Our Rights

Written Documents• Constitution

• Bill of Rights

• Declaration of Independence

• State Constitutions

Security Rights

• Protection by the Government

Some of our rights are based on denying certain powers to our government:

• Article I of the Constitution denies certain powers to Congress

• The Bill of Rights contains many limitations to government’s powers

Equality Rights

14th Amendment requires

that all persons are treated

the same (all persons to be

given due process and equal protection)

• Amendments like the 15th and 19th made voting an equal right for all citizens

Liberty Rights

• Liberty rights protect our freedoms

• 1st Amendment rights are a prime example of protecting basic freedoms

• Speech, Press, Religion, Assembly, and Petition

• 5th Amendment - Certain rights are given to accused persons