Citizenship Flashcards
Law of Blood, Law of Soil, 14th Amendment, and the Naturalization Process
What does it mean to be a citizen?
A citizen belongs to a country.
What is a legal alien?
A person from another country who has permission to live or work in the U.S.
What does the 14th Amendment say about citizenship?
Anyone born or naturalized in the U.S. is a citizen.
What is “Law of Soil”?
If you are born in the U.S., you are a citizen.
What is “Law of Blood”?
If one of your parents is a U.S. citizen, you are a citizen, even if born in another country.
Who is considered a “national” in the U.S.?
A permanent resident who is not a citizen.
What are the age and residency requirements to become naturalized?
You must be at least 18 years old and have lived in the U.S. for 5 years.
What does it mean to swear the oath of allegiance?
It is a promise to be loyal to the U.S.
What two things must you pass to become naturalized?
The citizenship test and an interview.
Can new U.S. citizens have dual citizenship?
Yes, they can be citizens of two countries.
What is required to show “good moral character” when applying for citizenship?
You must have no criminal record.
Why does the Constitution say little about citizenship?
It only defines citizenship in the 14th Amendment.
How does the naturalization process allow citizenship loss?
If a person breaks certain laws, they can lose their citizenship.
What rights and responsibilities do new citizens gain after naturalization?
They have the same rights and responsibilities as all other citizens.
Why is dual citizenship important?
It allows a person to be a citizen of two countries at the same time.
