Who are U.S. Citizens?

• Chapter I, Section II

Citizens By Birth

• 1787 ----- less than 4 million people – only 13 states

• 1800 – more than 5 million people – 17 states

• 2006 – about 300 million people --- 50 states

Immigration

• Restrictions

A. The number of immigrants allowed into the US each year – preference is given to relatives of US citizens or to people with special skills

The ImmigrantsMelting Pot vs Salad Bowl

The Immigrants

• Early Americans - 1st settlers came from Asia - 12,000 and 40,000 years ago

• 1492 -- Columbus sails the “ocean blue!”• Europeans:

- Spain -- 1500’s Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, Florida, Texas, California and the Southwestern U.S.

- British - 1600’s - original 13 colonies - Others:

- Germany - Pennsylvania- Dutch - Along the Hudson River- Swedes - Along the Delaware River- French - New York, Mass., and South Carolina- Af.-Ams. - brought as slave labor

Why?

• The U.S. attracted people from all over the world - “Opportunity” - “The streets were paved with Gold!” -- settled land, worked in factories, farmed land, cheap labor

• Americans became unhappy - cheap labor - different ---< religions, cultures and they took jobs and lowered wages for Americans!!!

Immigration Laws

• 1880’s - Chinese Exclusion Act,

• 1920’s - 3 immigration laws - set up quotas on the # who could come from any one country in a given year -aimed at Southern and Eastern Europeans

Legal Immigration Revision Act(1990)

• Increased the # of immigrants allowed into the US each year;

• Special preference was given to:

1. Husbands, wives and children of U.S. citizens, 2. People with job skills or $ to invest in our economy

3. Aliens 4. Refugees

Aliens: Legal/Illegal• Legal Aliens

-- have permission from the govt. to be here (Visas)-- Rights: May hold jobs, own property, attend school, travel throughout the country

-- Duties: must obey US laws and pay taxes--Restrictions: may not vote, run for political office, work in most govt. jobs, some states prohibit them from working in certain jobs, such as public schools; they must carry their ID cards (Green Cards) with them at all times

Illegal Aliens• More than 10 million

currently living in the US

• How do they get here?

1. Expired visas

2. smuggled in – ships,

car trunks, night crossings• Government responses:

1. Increased border security

2. High fences

3. Laws punishing employers and landlords

How do You become a US Citizen???

• Born in the U.S. or U.S. territory such as Guam or Puerto Rico

• Born in the U.S., but neither parent is a U.S. citizen (in most cases you are considered a U.S. citizen)

• Born in another country and one or both Parents who are U.S. citizens

• Naturalization

The Naturalization ProcessGeneral Requirements:

A. Pd. Of continuous residency at least 2 ½ years, if you leave - must start over

B. Good moral character

C. Favorable disposition to the U.S.

D. Ability to read, write, and speak the English language

E. Knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government

F. Residence in a particular U.S.C.I.S. district prior to filing for citizenship

Naturalization Process

http://www.immigrationdirect.com/resources/process.jsp

http://immigration.findlaw.com/immigration/immigration-help/le6_i.html

Benefits of U.S. Citizenship

http://www.uscitizenship.info/ins-USimmigration-naturalization-benefits.htm

A person wishing to give up or renounce his or her U.S. citizenship must voluntarily and with intent to relinquish U.S. citizenship:

1. appear in person before a U.S. consular or diplomatic officer,in a foreign country (normally at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate);

2. and sign an oath of renunciationRenunciations that do not meet the conditions described above have no legal effect.

3. Americans cannot effectively renounce their citizenship by mail, through an agent, or while in the United States. In fact, U.S. courts have held certain attempts to renounce U.S. citizenship to be ineffective.