Who is now considered a citizen of the United States?

What's the difference between a state citizen and a U.S. citizen?

National citizenship signifies membership in the country as a whole; state citizenship, in contrast, signifies a relation between a person and a particular state and has application generally limited to domestic matters.

What does the 13th Amendment mean today?

Amendment Thirteen to the Constitution – the first of the three Reconstruction Amendments – was ratified on December 6, 1865. It forbids chattel slavery across the United States and in every territory under its control, except as a criminal punishment.

Who is not a U.S. citizen?

An alien is any individual who is not a U.S. citizen or U.S. national. A nonresident alien is an alien who has not passed the green card test or the substantial presence test.

What does article 7 of the US Constitution say?

Article VII of the U.S. Constitution is about the ratification process, stating that nine of the thirteen states needed to approve it through special state conventions for the Constitution to become the law of the land, replacing the Articles of Confederation. It established the conditions for the new government to take effect and included the date the Constitution was signed (September 17, 1787). 

Can you be president if you are a citizen but were not born here?

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 ...

What happens if a tourist gives birth in the USA?

If a tourist gives birth in the U.S., the baby automatically becomes a U.S. citizen, but the parents must pay hefty medical bills and face potential visa issues, as "birth tourism" is now actively targeted by U.S. immigration, risking visa denial for future visits and potentially affecting their legal status if they overstay their visa. While the child gains citizenship rights (passport, education, etc.), parents must still leave the U.S. when their visa expires and can face consequences for misrepresenting their purpose for travel, even if the child is a citizen, according to American Immigration Council and Elite Lawyer. 

Do babies born in the U.S. automatically get citizenship?

That means that a child born in the United States today is a U.S. citizen, full stop. It does not matter what state they are born in or the immigration status of their parents; that child is fully protected by the Fourteenth Amendment's citizenship guarantee. But what happens after July 25 depends on several factors.

What are the arguments against birthright citizenship?

For the most part, congressional opponents of birthright citizenship argued vigorously against it because, in their view, it would grant citizenship to persons of a certain race, ethnicity or status that these opponents deemed unworthy of citizenship. Fortunately, these views did not carry the day.

What are the five-five requirements to become a U.S. citizen?

To become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, you generally need to be at least 18, a permanent resident for 5 years (or 3 if married to a citizen), demonstrate good moral character, pass English and civics tests on U.S. history/government, and take the Oath of Allegiance, along with meeting continuous residence and physical presence rules, and filing Form N-400. 

What are the four types of U.S. citizenship?

Your Guide to Understanding Different Types of U.S. Citizenship

• Citizenship by Birth. ...
• Citizenship through Naturalization. ...
• Citizenship through Derivation. ...
• Dual Citizenship. ...
• Non-citizen National. ...
• Citizenship by Marriage (Jus Matrimonii)

What disqualifies you from becoming a U.S. citizen?

You can be disqualified from U.S. citizenship for lacking "good moral character," often due to criminal history (especially violent crimes, drug trafficking, or aggravated felonies), serious financial issues (unpaid taxes/support), lying on applications, failing to register for Selective Service, or long absences from the U.S., all of which break residency requirements. Specific offenses like murder, sexual abuse of a minor, or drug trafficking can lead to permanent bars, while other offenses create temporary bars, requiring a waiting period to prove character. 

What is the 7th Amendment in very simple terms?

It protects the right for citizens to have a jury trial in federal courts with civil cases where the claim exceeds a certain dollar value. It also prohibits judges in these trials from overruling facts revealed by the jury.

Is God mentioned in the US Constitution?

No, the U.S. Constitution does not explicitly mention God, Jesus, or Christianity; its framework is secular, focusing on governmental structure, though it mentions "religion" in the First Amendment to protect religious freedom and prohibit an established religion. The only divine reference is in the signing date, "in the Year of our Lord," a common phrase of the era, not a theological statement, notes TCU Magazine.
 

What does the 14th Amendment say?

The 14th Amendment defines U.S. citizenship (birthright citizenship), guarantees all citizens "equal protection of the laws," and ensures states can't deprive anyone of "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law," incorporating fundamental rights against states, and also disqualifies rebels from office. It was crucial for civil rights, extending federal protections to formerly enslaved people and ensuring equality under the law. 

What is a person with no citizenship called?

Stateless people. Stateless people are not recognized as citizens by any country. Denied the right to a nationality, they are often also not allowed to go to school, see a doctor, get a job or even get married. UNHCR advocates for their rights and works to prevent and end statelessness globally.

Who is permanently ineligible for U.S. citizenship?

An applicant who requested, applied for, and obtained a discharge or exemption from military service from the U.S. armed forces on the ground that he or she is an alien (“alienage discharge”) is permanently ineligible for naturalization unless he or she qualifies for an exception (discussed below).

Does permanent residency mean you are a citizen?

No, Permanent Residency (PR) and Citizenship are not the same; PR grants the right to live and work indefinitely but is a conditional immigration status, while citizenship is full, secure membership in a country with rights like voting, holding office, and deportation protection, often achieved through naturalization after holding PR. PR can be revoked (e.g., for long absences or crimes), but citizenship is nearly absolute, making citizens the most secure.
 

What is the loophole in the 13th Amendment?

A loophole still in the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution allows slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. This exception fuels a system where incarcerated people are forced to work for little or no pay, often under threat of punishment, while the state and private companies benefit.

Who actually ended slavery?

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, as the nation approached its third year of bloody civil war. The proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free."

Which Amendment to the Constitution had the biggest impact on America?

The Fourteenth Amendment (Amendment XIV) to the United States Constitution was adopted on July 9, 1868, as one of the Reconstruction Amendments. Considered one of the most consequential amendments, it addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law at all levels of government.