Citizenship & Civic Participation

SS.7.C.2.1

Define the term “citizen,” and identify legal means of becoming a U.S. citizen.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

The U.S. Constitution as ratified in 1789 did not include a definition of U.S. citizenship, but the Constitution mentioned citizenship several times. A formal definition of U.S. citizenship was added to the Constitution when the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868.

The 14th Amendment, as shown above, defines citizenship as belonging to:

1) anyone who is born in the United States, or

2) anyone who is an immigrant who has gone through the naturalization process.

There are two methods for someone to become a U.S. citizen by birth. If a person is born in the United States, in one of its territories, or on a U.S. military base, that person is a citizen through the law of soil. This method of becoming a citizen does not require the person’s mother or father to be a U.S. citizen. The other way to become a citizen by birth is for one of the person’s birth parents to be a U.S. citizen. This means that U.S. citizenship is passed to the child from the natural mother or father. This method of gaining citizenship is called the law of blood.

Citizens, as explained in the 14th Amendment, are guaranteed their natural rights to life, liberty, and property, which cannot be taken away without due process.

If an immigrant wants to become a U.S. citizen, the immigrant must meet a set of conditions. The table below lists the basic conditions required for naturalization.

An Immigrant Must:

Be at least 18 years old.

Have been a resident of the United States for five years, without leaving for more than 30 months combined and for no more than 12 uninterrupted months throughout the five-year period.

File a petition for naturalization.

Take a test to show that they can read, write, and speak English and demonstrate knowledge of American History and the U.S. Constitution.

Be able to prove that they are of good moral character.

Once all of the conditions above have been met, the applicant must take the “Oath of Allegiance.” The oath is the last step in the naturalization process and requires people seeking citizenship to pledge their loyalty to the United States.

Debates about citizenship and naturalization have had a great impact (effect) on society, government, and the political process. Citizenship is still sometimes a controversial topic. At times, Americans have disagreed about who should be granted citizenship by naturalization and about how difficult the process should be to gain citizenship. Some people question how long an immigrant should be allowed to live in the U.S. without applying for citizenship.

Political parties have discussed these questions about naturalization in their party platforms, and candidates’ views about naturalization influence how voters feel about naturalization and the importance of U.S. citizenship. As more immigrants naturalize and become involved in the political process, they also influence the debate by voting, running for office, being selected for public office, and participating in lawmaking.

For example, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was changed in 1975 to require that election ballots be printed in all of the languages in a county where at least 5% of the citizens living in that county speak that language. In other words, if 5% of the citizens living in Orange County, Florida, speak Spanish, then all of the election ballots must be printed in both Spanish and English. This requirement makes it easier for naturalized citizens from Latin America to vote because every item on the ballot is printed in Spanish. Since the Voting Rights Act was changed in 1975, more naturalized U.S. citizens from Latin America vote in elections. Also, candidates are more likely to include Spanish language commercials and posters in their campaigns to show that they are reaching out to naturalized citizens.

Florida elected its first Cuban-American U.S. Senator in 2004 (Mel Martinez). Two brothers, Mario Diaz-Balart and Lincoln Diaz-Balart, represented Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives for several years. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart was born in Florida (citizen by law of soil), while Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart was born in Cuba and became a naturalized citizen.

SS.7.C.2.2

Evaluate the obligations citizens have to obey laws, pay taxes, defend the nation, and serve on juries.

Obligations of Citizens

Actions that are required by law.

Paying Taxes

HOW THE OBLIGATION RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

Taxes pay for large programs benefit everyone (roads, schools, and libraries, among others).

jury duty

HOW THE OBLIGATION RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

By participating in jury duty, citizens are protecting the Constitutional rights of trial by jury.

obeying the law

HOW THE OBLIGATION RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

Obeying the law keeps order so that people are safe.

defending the nation

HOW THE OBLIGATION RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

Defending the nation benefits the entire country and protects the nation from those who might wish to harm us.

registering for selective service

HOW THE OBLIGATION RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

By registering for the draft so that we can defend the nation at times of war.

SS.7.C.2.3

Experience the responsibilities of citizens at the local, state, or federal levels.

Responsibilities of Citizens

An action that benefits the community/people.

Voting

HOW THE RESPONSIBILITY RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

Relates to the common good because it is one way for citizens to be heard by the leaders who represent them.

Attending civic meetings

HOW THE

RESPONSIBILITY

RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

By attending civic meetings, a citizen can be heard by public officials (for example, attending a city council meeting or a

neighborhood watch group).

Petitioning the govn't

HOW THE RESPONSIBILITY RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

Petitioning the government allows citizens to share their opinions with the government and ask for help with solving problems

Community service

HOW THE RESPONSIBILITY RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

Community service helps with the common good. It benefits everyone when a citizen sees a need in his or her community and takes that extra step to find the solution.

SS.7.C.2.1

Define the term “citizen,” and identify legal means of becoming a U.S. citizen.

​

​

The U.S. Constitution as ratified in 1789 did not include a definition of U.S. citizenship, but the Constitution mentioned citizenship several times. A formal definition of U.S. citizenship was added to the Constitution when the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868.

​

The 14th Amendment, as shown above, defines citizenship as belonging to:

1) anyone who is born in the United States, or

2) anyone who is an immigrant who has gone through the naturalization process.

​

Citizens, as explained in the 14th Amendment, are guaranteed their natural rights to life, liberty, and property, which cannot be taken away without due process.

If an immigrant wants to become a U.S. citizen, the immigrant must meet a set of conditions. The table below lists the basic conditions required for naturalization.

An Immigrant Must:

Once all of the conditions above have been met, the applicant must take the “Oath of Allegiance.” The oath is the last step in the naturalization process and requires people seeking citizenship to pledge their loyalty to the United States.

​

SS.7.C.2.2

Evaluate the obligations citizens have to obey laws, pay taxes, defend the nation, and serve on juries.

​

Obligations of Citizens

Actions that are required by law.

Paying Taxes

HOW THE OBLIGATION RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

​

Taxes pay for large programs benefit everyone (roads, schools, and libraries, among others).

jury duty

HOW THE OBLIGATION RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

​

By participating in jury duty, citizens are protecting the Constitutional rights of trial by jury.

obeying the law

HOW THE OBLIGATION RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

​

Obeying the law keeps order so that people are safe.

defending the nation

HOW THE OBLIGATION RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

​

Defending the nation benefits the entire country and protects the nation from those who might wish to harm us.

registering for selective service

HOW THE OBLIGATION RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

​

By registering for the draft so that we can defend the nation at times of war.

SS.7.C.2.3

Experience the responsibilities of citizens at the local, state, or federal levels.

​

Responsibilities of Citizens

An action that benefits the community/people.

Voting

HOW THE RESPONSIBILITY RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

​

Relates to the common good because it is one way for citizens to be heard by the leaders who represent them.

Attending civic meetings

HOW THE

RESPONSIBILITY

RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

By attending civic meetings, a citizen can be heard by public officials (for example, attending a city council meeting or a

neighborhood watch group).

Petitioning the govn't

HOW THE RESPONSIBILITY RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

​

Petitioning the government allows citizens to share their opinions with the government and ask for help with solving problems

Community service

HOW THE RESPONSIBILITY RELATES TO THE COMMON GOOD

​

Community service helps with the common good. It benefits everyone when a citizen sees a need in his or her community and takes that extra step to find the solution.