Citizenship in the United States is a legal marker denoting political membership in the United States that entails specific rights and privileges and duties. Citizenship is understood as a "right to have rights" since it serves as a foundation for a bundle of subsequent rights, such as the right to live and work in the United States and to receive federal assistance
During this decade, the United States welcomed more than 5.6 million new citizens, including more than 744,000 people during fiscal year 2009 and more than 138,000 in the current fiscal year. Since September 2001, USCIS has assisted more than 55,000 members of the military to become naturalized U.S. citizens.
While in the previous decade i.e in the years 1991-2000, Approximately 5.6 million individuals became U.S. citizens during this period, doubling the number from the previous decade. The late 1990s also marked another shift in naturalization demographics, with those of Mexican decent yielding the most naturalized citizens, followed by Vietnamese and Filipinos.
Applicants must pass a simple citizenship test. In 2006, the government replaced the former trivia test with a ten-question oral test designed to "shun simple historical facts about America that can be recounted in a few words for more explanation about the principles of American democracy, such as freedom."
Citizens hail from big, powerful countries such as Russia, and from small, relatively unknown countries such as Sao Tome and Principe. They come from wealthy and poor countries, from democracies and from dictatorships. They are young and old and everything in between.
Many new citizens are sworn in during Fourth of July ceremonies. According to federal law, citizenship applicants who are also changing their names must appear before a federal judge.
You are not a citizen of the US until you take the Oath of Allegiance. An officer will read out each part of the oath and you will be asked to repeat his/her words. To become a citizen, one must take the oath of allegiance. By doing so, an applicant swears to:
Support the Constitution and obey the laws of the U.S.
Renounce any foreign allegiance and/or foreign title
Bear arms for the Armed Forces of the U.S. or perform services for the government of the U.S. when required.
An immigrant becomes American citizens by taking the Oath of Allegiance at naturalization ceremonies. An oath ceremony itself will take about two hours and after the ceremony there is usually a reception as well.
An oath ceremony is generally open to the public, so feel free to invite friends, family, your employer, your sponsor for citizenship (if you had one) and anyone else who has supported you on your journey.
The ceremony itself will take place in a courtroom, and in order to show your respect to the court, judge, and others, present yourself well. You do not need to dress formally, but be prepared to look well and to be dressed business casual or better. Keep in mind, too, that you may want to take photos after your US citizenship oath ceremony, so keep this in mind when deciding on your clothing. Usually some of the immigrants are dressed very formally, others casually, but all the time dressed well.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the immigrants pay their respects to the flag, their new country's flag; a flag for which one day some of these young men and women may be asked to fight, perhaps even make the ultimate sacrifice.
As the brand new Americans take the Oath of Allegiance, the expressions of happiness, pride and gratitude, accompanied by the occasional tear.
The ceremony concludes with words most of Americans know by heart, words that come from the hearts of these new Americans:
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.
As these brand new Americans join the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who are naturalized each year, they usually think of the America's magnanimity and tolerance, so graciously permitted them to share in the American Dream.
Once you have taken the Oath, you will receive the Certificate of Naturalization. This document is proof that you are a citizen of the US. You should apply for a US passport after your naturalization, since it is easier to carry a passport than a certificate of naturalization. Moreover, if you lose your certificate of Naturalization, it may take up to 1 year to receive a new one. You can get an application for a US passport after the oath ceremony or at any post office.
Citizens of the U.S. have the opportunity and the responsibility to participate in their government.
The most important right citizens have is the right to vote. By voting, you have a voice in the government. The people decide who will represent them in the government. Officials can be voted in or out of office. Every person's vote counts the same as another person's vote.
The right to vote is a duty or responsibility as well as a privilege. It is important for all citizens to vote in every election to make sure that the democratic, representative system of government is maintained. Persons who do not vote lose their voice in the government. Before voting in an election, each citizen should be well informed about the issues and candidates.
The government may call upon citizens to serve on a jury. If you are chosen for jury duty, you must stop work and attend the trial as long as you are needed. The members of the jury need to decide the case in as fair a way as they can. Men can be asked to serve in the armed forces. During times of war, any man who is physically able can be called upon to fight for the U.S. In peaceful times, there can be a draft or men and women can enlist voluntarily.
Every person is expected to obey the laws of the community, state and country in which he or she lives. All Americans are expected to respect the rights of others. All persons living in the U.S. are expected to pay the income taxes and other taxes honestly and on time.
Every person is expected to obey the laws of the community, state and country in which he or she lives. All Americans are expected to respect the rights of others. All persons living in the U.S. are expected to pay the income taxes and other taxes honestly and on time.
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