1 What does it mean to be a citizen of the United States? A citizen is a person who is a member of our country. As a citizen, you give your loyalty to the U.S. government. In return, the government protects you and gives you all the rights granted in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
2 If you were born in the United States, you are already a citizen. If you were born in a U.S. territory, or another country and one of your parents is a citizen, then you are a citizen. Not everyone who lives here is a citizen. Some people have to become citizens through naturalization.
3 Naturalization is a long process. First, a person must be at least eighteen years old. Before they can apply, they need to be a legal resident for at least five years, and they need to display good moral character and loyalty to our country. They must also be able to read, write, and speak English, have knowledge and understanding of United States history and government, and believe in the Constitution. In addition, they must be willing to take an oath of loyalty to the U.S. If they meet these requirements, they can submit an application for citizenship. The next step is to take an exam to prove they meet the conditions of becoming a citizen. The final phase is to appear in court and take an oath of allegiance.
4 As a citizen, you have many rights and privileges. You also have many duties. As you grow, you will have more rights, privileges, and responsibilities.
