Transcript Section 2: Who Are U.S. Citizens?

Section 2: Who Are U.S.
Citizens?
Vocabulary
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immigrants
quota
aliens
native-born
naturalization
refugees
Americans are from Everywhere
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Immigrants- people who came here from
other countries
Adopt American customs and traditions
and some hold onto their own from their
native country (Chinatown, Little Italy)
Salad Bowl or Melting Pot?
Early Americans
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The first to settle in North America came
from Asia between 12,000 and 40,000
years ago.
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Ancestors of modern-day American Indians
1492- Columbus and crews were the first
European settlers
The Immigrants
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Europeans learned of America’s vast
resources
Spanish, British, Germans, Dutch, Swedes,
French settled here
Africans were brought as slaves and
forced to live in bondage
European Division
Immigration Policy
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1880’s the U.S. Congress passed laws
limiting imigration
1920’s the laws established a quota,
specific number, of immigrants that were
allowed to enter each year.
1990 Immigration Act- 675,000 people
Aliens are permanent residents of the U.S.
who are still citizens of another country
Becoming a U.S. Citizen
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All citizens, regardless of their heritage,
have the same legal rights and
responsibilities
Citizenship by Birth
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Native-born- born in the United States
If you are born in the United States, you
are a citizen.
Citizenship by Naturalization
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Naturalization- legal process by which an
alien may become a citizen
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Same rights and duties as native-born citizens
Legal Alien
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A citizen of another country who has
received permission to enter the U.S.
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Cannot serve on juries, vote, or hold public
office
Must carry an ID card, green card, at all times
Illegal Immigrants
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Why do they come to America?
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Called undocumented residents because they
lack legal immigration documents