THE PATH TO UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP

Key Terms• USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration

Services • Naturalization: the process of assuming or

being granted citizenship of a country, usually a country other than that of the person’s origin

• Green Card: document showing evidence of your lawful permanent resident status in the United States

Benefits• Benefits – Voting– Bringing family members to the

United States– Obtaining citizenship for

children born abroad– Traveling with a U.S. passport– Becoming eligible for Federal

jobs– Becoming an elected– Showing your patriotism

Responsibilities • Responsibilities

– Give up all prior allegiance to any other nation or sovereignty

– Swear allegiance to the United States

– Support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States

– Serve the country when required– Jury Duty – Participating in Political Process – Tolerance for Differences

Eligibility • Be 18 or older• Be a green card holder for at least 5 years• Have lived in one place for at least 3 months prior to filing the

application• Have continuous residence for at least 5 years prior to filing the

application• Be physically present for at least 30 months out of the 5 years• Reside continuously from the date of application for naturalization up to

the time of naturalization• Be able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and an

understanding of U.S. history and government (civics).• Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the

Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law

Process

• Complete Application • Get Photographs • Get Documents • Get Fingerprinted • Be Interviewed/Take Tests • Take the Oath • Receive Certification of Naturalization • Citizenship Test

The Test

You will be asked 10 questions from a list of 100. Must get at least 6 right to pass the test.

What is the supreme law ofthe land?

Question 1

the Constitution

Answer 1

The idea of self-government isin the first three words of theConstitution. What are these

words?

Question 2

We the People

Answer 2

How many amendmentsdoes the Constitution have?

Question 3

twenty-seven(27)

Answer 3

What stops one branch ofgovernment from becoming

too powerful?

Question 4

checks and balancesseparation of powers

Answer 4

Who is one of your state’sU.S. Senators now?

Question 5

Carl Levin Debbie Stabenow

Answer 5

Under our Constitution,some powers belong to the

federal government. What isone power of the federal

government?

Question 6

to print moneyto declare war

to create an armyto make treaties

Answer 6

Who wrote the Declaration ofIndependence?

Question 7

ThomasJefferson

Answer 7

What territory did the UnitedStates buy from France in

1803?

Question 8

the LouisianaTerritory

Answer 8

Name one of the two longestrivers in the United States.

Question 9

Missouri RiverMississippi River

Answer 9

Name one U.S. territory.

Question 10

Puerto RicoU.S. Virgin IslandsAmerican Samoa

Northern Mariana IslandsGuam

Answer 10

Oath of Allegiance"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."