Every year many people become naturalized,
or are given rights, as U.S citizens
What Are The Benefits of Citizenship?
The most important benefit is the right to vote in elections. In a
democracy, citizens can play a big role in shaping the decisions a country
makes. The desires and opinions of citizens can influence elected
lawmakers. Since citizens have the right to vote, they can elect
officials whose political ideas they share. If they are unhappy with an
elected official, they can vote for someone else in the next election.
Citizens can run for political office themselves.
|
 |
If you are a citizen
you can file a petition to legally bring your parents, unmarried children
who are minors, and husband or wife to the United States. Generally, they
will get their permanent resident (or legal) status quickly. Citizens can
also bring their adult children and brothers and sisters here, although
getting permanent residence will take longer.
Having a U.S. passport
allows citizens the freedom to travel. You can travel for long periods of
time. You can also live outside of the United States. In addition,
citizens receive U.S. Government protection and assistance when abroad.
A U.S. citizen cannot be deported, or sent back to his or her native
country. U.S. citizenship is protection against deportation.
A permanent resident may continue receiving SSI (Supplemental Security
Income) benefits, if they become a citizen within seven years from when
those benefits began. Failure to become a citizen within seven years will
result in loss of supplemental income. Once they loose it, they can
reapply once citizenship is obtained.
A permanent resident may continue receiving SSI (Supplemental Security
Income) benefits, if they become a citizen within seven years from when
those benefits began. Failure to become a citizen within seven years will
result in loss of supplemental income. Once they loose it, they can
reapply once citizenship is obtained.
Personal Responses from students about Citizenship:
"I want to feel a part of where I live. To participate as a citizen."
Citizenship Includes Some Responsibilities
One final part of the citizenship process is to take an oath of
allegiance. The Oath of Allegiance includes several promises you must
make when you become a citizen, including promises to:
· Give up prior allegiances to other countries;
· Support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United
States;
· Swear allegiance to the United States; and
· Serve the country when required
Citizens have many responsibilities other than the ones mentioned in the
oath. Some of the key points of good citizenship are summarized on back.
This is not a definitive list, but if citizens pledge themselves to doing
each of them, this generation and generations that follow will continue to
enjoy the American heritage of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Serving Jury Duty
The obligation to serve on a jury is the other side of the right of trial
by jury, one of our most powerful freedoms.
Respecting others
Tolerance is not only "putting up" with other people who are different
from ourselves, it's the spirit of trying to understand them. It is the
judgment of people as individuals rather than of classes. The best advice
for living peacefully with our fellow citizens is: "Do unto others as you
would have them do unto you."
Supporting education and schools
A Massachusetts law enacted in 1647 founded the first system of public
education in the American colonies. Today every stated has a compulsory
education law and publicly controlled schools that, are free and open to
the public. Our nation's future depends on educated citizens who acquire
skills to enhance our economy and who keep themselves informed so leaders
will not influence them or philosophies that weaken rather than strengthen
our nation.
Giving Back To Your Community
Working together as a community cue can accomplish much more than we can
ever hope to achieve alone. As citizens each of us has an obligation to
make our community a little better place. Giving back means giving of
your time and ability rather than money. Another word for this is
volunteering.
Paying Taxes
If you work, you pay taxes. Taxes provide highways, police and fire
protection, military forces, clean water, and safe food. They make
possible the public schools, libraries, parks, and everything public
(Streetlights etc.). You pay city, state and federal taxes. Taxes
represent the cost of our government doing business. As unpleasant as
paying taxes may be, taxation with, representation is a vast improvement
over a government that taxes and takes your assets without you having a
say about it. It is very important that you pay your taxes. Many of the
financial benefits people receive come from taxpayer's money. It is a
law that you file income taxes!
|