What you will be able to do
define legal citizenship; describe birth and naturalization as paths to citizenship; distinguish citizenship from community membership
Citizenship and Naturalization
What does United States citizenship mean, and how can a person become a citizen?
Activate what you know
Think about the words resident, community member, and citizen. What might they have in common, and how might their meanings differ? Use a fictional person if you give an example
- citizena legal member of a country with rights and responsibilities under its laws
- citizenshipthe legal relationship between a citizen and a country
- naturalizationthe legal process through which an eligible noncitizen becomes a citizen
- righta freedom or protection recognized by law
- responsibilitya duty or action a person is expected to carry out
- residenta person who lives in a place
1
Citizenship Is a Legal Relationship
A citizen is a legal member of a country. United States citizens have constitutional rights and legal responsibilities. Many people are citizens at birth, some receive citizenship through a citizen parent, and some become citizens later through naturalization. Naturalization is a legal process for eligible noncitizens. Adults generally apply, show that they meet legal requirements, complete an interview and tests unless an exception applies, and take an Oath of Allegiance. Exact rules belong to U.S. law and official guidance, not guesses about a person’s life
2
Communities Include People with Different Statuses
Citizenship and community membership are related but not identical. A resident may belong deeply to a neighborhood, school, workplace, faith community, or Tribal Nation whether or not that person is a U.S. citizen. Noncitizens also have many constitutional protections and responsibilities under law. Some civic roles, such as voting in federal elections, are reserved for eligible citizens. Many other forms of participation include learning about issues, volunteering, speaking at permitted public meetings, and helping neighbors. Rules vary, so use official sources
Never Guess Status
Appearance, accent, name, language, birthplace, or family story does not tell you whether someone is a citizen. Legal status is private information
Separate the Ideas
Ask whether the sentence is about legal citizenship, living in a place, or contributing to a community. One person can fit more than one description
Citizenship Is Not a Measure of Worth
Legal status does not measure a person’s dignity, intelligence, kindness, or contribution. People with many legal statuses are part of community life
Three-Circle Sort
Label three circles citizenship, residence, and community participation. Sort fictional statements, such as “lives in the town,” “became a citizen through naturalization,” and “helps at a food pantry.” Some may fit more than one circle
Citizenship is legal membership in a country. People may be citizens at birth, through parents, or through naturalization, while community belonging includes people with many legal statuses
Practice and answer guide
Work through all 8 questions. Open an answer only after you have written or explained your response.
- 1. What is naturalization? A. a legal path for an eligible noncitizen to become a citizen B. moving to a new neighborhood C. joining a school club
Check answer
A legal path for an eligible noncitizen to become a citizen
- 2. Name two broad ways a person may become a U.S. citizen
Check answer
Acceptable paths include citizenship at birth, citizenship through a citizen parent under law, and naturalization
- 3. Why should we never guess citizenship from a person’s accent or name?
Check answer
Those traits do not reveal legal status, and citizenship information is private and governed by specific laws
- 4. Which action is one form of community participation? A. helping at a neighborhood cleanup B. guessing another person’s status C. excluding a new resident
Check answer
Helping at a neighborhood cleanup
- 5. Draw three labeled circles for citizenship, residence, and community participation. Add one example to each
Check answer
The drawing should separate legal membership, living in a place, and community action. Examples might be citizen, town resident, and volunteer
- 6. How is a resident different from a citizen?
Check answer
A resident lives in a place. A citizen has legal membership in a country. A person may be both, one, or neither in relation to a particular place
- 7. Correct this idea: “Only citizens can care about or contribute to a community.”
Check answer
Citizens and noncitizens can learn, work, create, care for others, volunteer, and take part in many forms of community life
- 8. Why should someone use official legal information instead of a friend’s guess about naturalization?
Check answer
Naturalization rules are detailed legal requirements that can change and differ by circumstance; official information is more accurate than a guess