06.03 Citizenship

On the topic of citizenship There are two ways to become a citizen—by birth or by naturalization. This did not become a part of the Constitution until 1868 when the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified. It reads:

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."


Here are some terms that may be helpful to know when learning or dealing with Citizenship:

Terms and Definitions

• alien - any person not a citizen of the United States
• dual citizenship - having citizenship in two countries
• jus sanguinis - citizenship by blood (your parent's citizenship)
• jus soli - citizenship by the place of your birth
• National - person who is from an American territory, having all the legal protections that citizens have, but not the full political rights of US citizens.
• naturalization - a legal action granting citizenship to an alien
• refugee - person who has a well-founded fear of persecution if he or she returns to the home country based on their religion, race, social class, nationality, or political opinion
• right of expatriation - the right to renounce citizenship

State of the Union 2012

In reflection of Obama's State of the Union Speech this year, I have to say that his words were well spoken. He gave hope that America can succeed and become what we have always dreamed of becoming. That we must work together and achieve that goal that is within our reach. He said that, and i quote, "What’s at stake aren’t Democratic values or Republican values, but American values. And we have to reclaim them." We need to do this in order to proceed as a 'United Nation'. That is why we are here, to live by these values that can take us so far. He says that even if we have made mistakes in the past we must proceed, look ahead, because we have come way too far now. The only thing left is to make it better, and that is our mission.