CONTENTS Chapter One What’s a Citizen Chapter Two All Different People Chapter Three A Citizen’s Rights and Responsibilities Chapter Four Model Citizenship 5 11 17 23 Timeline Key Times in US Citizenship History 28 Think About It Glossary Find Out More Index 29 30 31 32
4 Citizens fill the streets of cities such as New York City
WHAT’S A CITIZEN Chapter One A country is nothing without the people who live in it Those people who officially live in a country’s cities and towns are called citizens A person can become a citizen in different ways Citizens also have certain rights and responsibilities When people act as good citizens it’s easier for everyone to get along Becoming a Citizen There are two ways to become a citizen of the United States First a person can be born a citizen Anyone born in the United States or a US territory is a US citizen and anyone born to parents who are US citizens is a citizen The second way to become a citizen is by law through a process called naturalization A person who’s born in another country and becomes a US citizen by law is called a naturalized citizen Before they become a naturalized citizen a person has to meet different requirements They must be 18 years old or older have to Fast Fact Every year the United States accepts a number of refugees into the country These people find jobs and join a new community Many eventually become citizens 5
