What rights do US citizens have?

Asked by: Miss Daphne Vandervort PhD  |  Last update: September 30, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (8 votes)

Rights
  • Freedom to express yourself.
  • Freedom to worship as you wish.
  • Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury.
  • Right to vote in elections for public officials.
  • Right to apply for federal employment requiring U.S. citizenship.
  • Right to run for elected office.
  • Freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

What are all my rights as a U.S. citizen?

First Amendment: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly. Second Amendment: the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Third Amendment: restricts housing soldiers in private homes. Fourth Amendment: protects against unreasonable search and seizure.

What are the 10 constitutional rights of America?

Ratified December 15, 1791.
  • Amendment I. Freedoms, Petitions, Assembly. ...
  • Amendment II. Right to bear arms. ...
  • Amendment III. Quartering of soldiers. ...
  • Amendment IV. Search and arrest. ...
  • Amendment V. Rights in criminal cases. ...
  • Amendment VI. Right to a fair trial. ...
  • Amendment VII. Rights in civil cases. ...
  • Amendment VIII. Bail, fines, punishment.

What privileges do you get as a U.S. citizen?

Benefits of Citizenship
  • Voting and Running for Office. Once you become a United States citizen, you can vote in local, state, and federal elections. ...
  • Protection From Deportation. ...
  • New Financial Opportunities. ...
  • Freedom to Travel.

What rights does everyone in the U.S. have?

Every human being has the right to life, liberty and the security of his person. Right to life, liberty and personal security. Article II. All persons are equal before the law and have the rights and duties established in this Declaration, without distinction as to race, sex, language, creed or any other factor.

What the 14th Amendment says about birthright citizenship

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How much freedom do Americans have?

For example, the Freedom in the World index lists the United States 59th out of 210 countries and territories for civil and political rights, with 83 out of 100 points as of 2023; the Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders, put the U.S. 55th out of 180 countries in 2024, the Democracy Index, ...

What rights do US citizens have that are not in the Constitution?

The Supreme Court has found that unenumerated rights include such important rights as the right to travel, the right to vote, and the right to keep personal matters private.

What rights do you gain as a U.S. citizen?

Should I Consider U.S. Citizenship?
  • Vote. Only citizens can vote in federal elections. ...
  • Serve on a jury. ...
  • Travel with a U.S. passport. ...
  • Bring family members to the U.S. ...
  • Obtain citizenship for children under 18 years of age. ...
  • Apply for federal jobs. ...
  • Become an elected official. ...
  • Keep your residency.

Who Cannot become a U.S. citizen?

You cannot establish that you are a person of good moral character if you have been convicted of murder, at any time, or of any other aggravated felony, if you were convicted on or after November 29, 1990. Other offenses may be temporary bars to naturalization.

What benefits do U.S. citizens get?

  • Find government benefits and financial help.
  • Food assistance.
  • Health insurance.
  • Housing help.
  • Help with utility bills.
  • Welfare and financial assistance.
  • Social Security.
  • Government checks and payments.

What are the 5 freedoms citizens have that the United States Constitution protects?

Apply landmark Supreme Court cases to contemporary scenarios related to the five pillars of the First Amendment and your rights to freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Who has the power to declare war?

The Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war. Congress has declared war on 11 occasions, including its first declaration of war with Great Britain in 1812. Congress approved its last formal declaration of war during World War II.

What are the 5 requirements to be president?

The U.S. Constitution states that the president must:
  • Be a natural-born citizen of the United States.
  • Be at least 35 years old.
  • Have been a resident of the United States for 14 years.

What is a right that only U.S. citizens have?

However, some rights are only for citizens, such as: • Voting. Only U.S. citizens can vote in Federal elections. Most States also restrict the right to vote, in most elections, to U.S. citizens.

What is one promise you make when becoming a U.S. citizen?

You promise to be loyal to the United States and give up loyalty to other countries. You promise to defend the Constitution and obey the laws of the United States. And you promise to serve the United States when the government needs your help.

How to become a private citizen in the USA?

A private citizen is someone who does not have an official or professional role in a given situation. You "become" a private citizen automatically. When you are born you are a private citizen; there is no other requirement.

Are you automatically a U.S. citizen if one parent is a U.S. citizen?

Furthermore, a person born outside the United States may also be a U.S. citizen at birth if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen and has lived in the United States for a specified period.

Can you lose your American citizenship if you live in another country?

One of the many benefits of becoming a U.S. citizen is that it is a stable immigration status. Unlike the situation for lawful permanent residents (green card holders), someone who has attained naturalized U.S. citizenship can't lose that status solely by living outside of the United States for a long time.

Can a non U.S. citizen be president?

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident ...

Is U.S. citizenship worth it?

Becoming a U.S. citizen could save you some money over time. But there are even bigger financial advantages of becoming a U.S. citizen: Earn more money. The average wage of immigrants who become citizens typically increases by 5% or more nationwide and closer to 8.9% in major cities.

How long can a U.S. citizen stay out of the country?

A common concern is the duration of time a U.S. citizen can spend abroad without jeopardizing their citizenship status. While there is no set limit, extended periods of absence, especially when combined with other factors, can trigger inquiries from U.S. authorities.

What are the privileges of being a U.S. citizen?

10 benefits of U.S. Citizenship
  • Stay in the USA legally. You can live and work in the USA permanently. ...
  • Get citizenship for your child. ...
  • Bring your family to the USA. ...
  • Travel with a U.S. passport. ...
  • Receive government benefits. ...
  • Vote in elections. ...
  • Work in government jobs. ...
  • Run for public office.

What are the three rights that are allowed to non U.S. citizens?

  • Right to life, liberty and security of the person. Protection from arbitrary detention; freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman. ...
  • Protection from refoulement. ...
  • Liberty of movement and the right to enter one's own country. ...
  • Protection from arbitrary expulsion.

What are five mandatory duties that all American citizens have?

  • obey laws. 1st duty.
  • pay taxes. 2nd duty.
  • attend school. 3rd duty.
  • serve in court. 4th duty.
  • defend nation. 5th duty.
  • vote. 1st responsibility.
  • be informed. 2nd resp.
  • volunteer. 3rd resp.

What does the 11th Amendment say?

“The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.”