Naturalization: Becoming Citizens

Naturalization: Becoming Citizens

Naturalization: Becoming Citizens Watch live from the Institute of Texan Cultures as immigrants become naturalized citizens. Introduction Naturalization is the conferring of citizenship by a country upon those who did not acquire it at birth. The 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States provides that "all persons born or naturalized in the United States...are citizens of the United States." The U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8) also empowers the Congress of the United States to pass uniform laws for naturalization. Congress did so for the first time in 1790. For all except veterans of the U.S. armed services, naturalization in the United States requires: 1. lawful entry for permanent residence; 2. five years residence or, for spouses of U.S. citizens, three years; 3. good moral character, as displayed during the period of residence; 4. attachment to the Constitution; 5. understanding of English, including an ability to read, write, and speak it except where physical disability prevents; 6. knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of U.S. history and government; and 7. residence for six months in the district of the naturalization court. An alien seeking to become a U.S. citizen must make an application, be interviewed and investigated, and then file a formal petition for naturalization. Petitioners take Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/naturalization November 3, 2011.

an oath of allegiance and renounce their former nationality. They are also required to pledge to bear arms on behalf of the United States, or to perform noncombatant service in the armed forces, or do work of national importance under civilian direction when required by law. Veterans of the U.S. armed services may be naturalized without regard to residence if they meet certain requirements. Naturalization in the United States confers all the rights of citizenship except the right to become president of the United States or, for a limited time, to run for congressional office. A naturalized citizen may run for the House of Representatives after seven years and for the Senate after nine years. Aliens under the age of 16 may acquire citizenship upon the naturalization of their parents. Those between 16 and 18 who have citizen parents may be naturalized on the petition of their parents. In some countries, aliens who are wives of citizens are given citizenship by law or by registration. Other countries reduce the period of residence for spouses of citizens. Some countries give special consideration to an alien's skills, military service, inventions, investments, or other contributions to the country's welfare. In some countries citizenship may be conferred by act of parliament. Customarily countries limit naturalization to persons who have entered legally. In 1986, however, the U.S. Congress passed amnesty for illegal aliens resident since Jan. 1, 1982. In the United States, immigration and naturalization are controlled by the McCarran-Walter Act of 1952, administered primarily by the Department of Justice. Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/naturalization November 3, 2011.

Oath of Allegiance I hereby declare, on oath that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or a citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required by law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God. Retrieved from http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis November 3, 2011.

Suggested Discussion Questions 1. Why have people come to the United States in the past? 2. Why do people come to the United States today? 3. What are the benefits for immigrants and for the country when people from other lands settle here? 4. What complications sometimes develop for immigrants and for the country? 5. What are some valid benchmarks that indicate whether an immigrant has assimilated into American society? Why do these particular benchmarks signify assimilation? 6. Immigrants were presumably more welcome in the United States 100 years ago when there was a wilderness to be populated and a need for cheap labor. What arguments can be made for why immigrants should be welcome in the United States today? 7. Immigration laws became much more restrictive in the 1920s. Evaluate global and national affairs and the economy of that time. Develop a hypothesis about the reasons that Congress believed it was in the national interest to close the door on immigration at that time in history. Retrieved from http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/immigration-to-theunited-states.cfm November 3, 2011.

8. Another major shift in U.S. immigration law occurred in 1965, when the policy was relaxed to enable many more immigrants to enter the country. Why was it in the national interest then to reverse the previous restrictive immigration policies? What do you think might have precipitated the shift, given the global and national issues of the time? 9. One common argument against immigration is that a government should use its resources to take care of its own rather than care for those from other countries. Evaluate the validity of this argument. How much does a democratic government owe its own? What responsibility, if any, does that same government have to other citizens of the world? Retrieved from http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/immigration-to-theunited-states.cfm November 3, 2011.

Naturalization Ceremony at ITC Every year, more than 2,000 people become American citizens at the Institute of Texan Cultures. In cooperation with the United States Government, eight times a year, the museum becomes a federal courthouse and petitioners come to take the oath of citizenship, becoming naturalized Americans. At the Institute of Texan Cultures, they take that oath ITC Ceremony 1 surrounded by family and friends and the legacies of the many people and cultures who have contributed to the diversity and greatness of Texas and the United States. We are glad you will join us for this special event. We want you to feel like you are live in the courtroom, so please refer to the Naturalization Ceremony Etiquette sheet for expectations during the ceremony. ITC Ceremony 2

Naturalization Ceremony Etiquette A naturalization ceremony takes place in a United States federal court. When a ceremony is held any other public venue, the ceremony, despite the setting, is still considered a federal courtroom. It is crucial that everyone in attendance recognizes that their dress, behavior, and conduct must be respectful and honor the government, the judge, members of the court, the new citizens and their guests. An etiquette guide that outlines some of the appropriate behavior is listed below: DRESS The appropriate dress for court is business casual. Clothing such as shorts, halters, tank tops, any clothing exposing the midriff or underclothing, beachwear, t-shirts with inappropriate graphics/wording are not allowed in the courtroom. Female students should wear modest blouses with skirts or pants, or dresses that don t expose too much skin. Male students should wear slacks or khakis and with a nice shirt. Jeans are prohibited and clothing should be loose and not form-fitting. Hats/headdresses are not permitted in the courtroom unless they are used for religious reasons. BEHAVIOR All electronic devices should be turned off. This includes cellular phones, pagers, PDAs, ipods, cameras, camera phones, and all recording devices. Please be sure that your students understand that they are not permitted to record any part of the naturalization ceremony. Food, beverage, tobacco, and chewing gum are strictly prohibited in the courtroom at all times. CONDUCT At the beginning of the ceremony, the Clerk of Courts will enter the courtroom and ask everyone to rise. This means everyone in the courtroom will stand as the judge enters and calls the court to order. The Clerk will then state, You may be seated. At this time you will re-seat yourself and listen as court begins. Please be respectful and do not speak during the naturalization ceremony. Not only does talking exhibit disrespect to the courts, but you might miss important information. Please be sure to listen attentively to what is said. You may leave the courtroom if an emergency arises. If you must leave do so quietly, trying not to disturb anyone. The naturalization ceremony will conclude when the Clerk of Courts again states, All rise. This means everyone in the courtroom will stand as the judge exits and the court proceedings are concluded. The Clerk will then state, You may be seated. At this time the students will re-seat themselves until they are dismissed by their teacher. Adapted from http://citizenshipcounts.org/

SAMPLE AGENDA Naturalization Ceremony October 20, 2011 Event details -239 Petitioners from 53 countries -The Honorable Judge Xavier Rodriguez will be presiding -The Army MedCom Band will be here. -Robert G. Cole High School JROTC Color guard will be present -9 VIP Guests -Vocalist (2)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS SAN ANTONIO DIVISION HONORABLE UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE Date XX/XX/XX INSTITUTE OF TEXAN CULTURES 2:00 P.M. NATURALIZATION CEREMONY The U.S. Army Medical Command Band s prelude will be from 1:40 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Their last selection will be America, the Beautiful 1. OPENING OF COURT... DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL All rise... HEAR YE, HEAR YE, THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, THE HONORABLE, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE, PRESIDING, IS NOW OPEN PURSUANT TO ADJOURNMENT. ALL YE WHO HAVE BUSINESS BEFORE THIS HONORABLE COURT DRAW NYE AND YE SHALL BE HEARD. GOD SAVE THE UNITED STATES AND THIS HONORABLE COURT. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE POSTING OF COLORS.

2. COLOR GUARD OFFICER: SIR, REQUEST PERMISSION TO POST THE COLORS, SIR. 3. JUDGE : POST THE COLORS. 4. DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL: BE SEATED PLEASE. 5. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE COURT: GOOD AFTERNOON, I AM UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE, AND I WILL BE PRESIDING OVER TODAY'S CEREMONY. THE COURT IS CONVENED FOR THE NATURALIZATION OF FOREIGN-BORN INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE QUALIFIED TO BECOME CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I WANT TO WELCOME ALL OF THE APPLICANTS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS TO THIS VERY SPECIAL CERE- MONY. 6. JUDGE : A. AT THIS TIME THE COURT RECOGNIZES THE IMMIGRATION SERVICES OFFICER OF THE U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, OFFICER. [OFFICER WILL ANNOUNCE THE NUMBER OF PETITIONERS REQUESTING CONTINUANCE OF THEIR PETITIONS, THE NUMBER OF ADULT AND CHILDREN PETITIONERS, TOTAL NUMBER OF PETITIONERS PRESENT, AND THE NUMBER REQUESTING NAME CHANGE.]

THE PETITIONS OF THE ABSENT PETITIONERS WILL BE CONTINUED UNTIL ANOTHER DATE. B. PROCEDURAL QUESTIONING: 1. HAVE YOU SATISFIED YOURSELF THAT ALL OF THE REMAINING PETITIONERS ARE NOW PRESENT IN COURT? 2. HAVE EACH OF THE PETITIONERS COMPLIED WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW AND THE REGULATIONS IN EVERY RESPECT? 3. ARE YOU SATISFIED FROM YOUR EXAMINATION THAT EACH PETITIONER IS ENTITLED TO BE AD- MITTED TO UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP? 4. BASED UPON YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND THE MOTION OF THE EXAMINER, YOUR PETITIONS FOR ADMISSION TO CITIZENSHIP AND CHANGE OF NAME ARE APPROVED AND GRANTED. 5. AT THIS TIME, OFFICER JUAREZ WILL NAME THE VARIOUS COUNTRIES THAT ARE REPRESENTED AT TODAY'S CEREMONY. AS YOUR COUNTRY OF BIRTH IS CALLED, WILL YOU STAND AND REMAIN STANDING UNTIL ALL THE COUNTRIES ARE RECOGNIZED. C. OATH OF NATURALIZATION: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I WILL NOW ADMINISTER THE OATH OF NATURALIZATION. WILL EACH OF YOU RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE OATH SAY "I DO." DO EACH OF YOU HEREBY DECLARE ON OATH THAT YOU

ABSOLUTELY AND ENTIRELY RENOUNCE AND ABJURE ALL ALLEGIANCE AND FIDELITY TO ANY FOREIGN PRINCE, POTENTATE, STATE OR SOVEREIGNTY OF WHOM OR WHICH YOU HAVE HERETOFORE BEEN SUBJECTS OR CITIZENS; THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT YOU WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; THAT YOU WILL BEAR ARMS ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES WHEN REQUIRED BY LAW; THAT YOU WILL PERFORM NONCOMBATANT SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES WHEN REQUIRED BY LAW; THAT YOU WILL PERFORM WORK OF NA- TIONAL IMPORTANCE UNDER CIVILIAN DIRECTION WHEN REQUIRED BY LAW; AND THAT YOU TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION; SO HELP YOU GOD. YOU MAY LOWER YOUR HAND. BY THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS A UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE AND BY YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND THE OATH YOU HAVE JUST TAKEN, EACH OF YOU IS NOW A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. CONGRATULATIONS! D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

I WILL NOW ASK FOR EVERYONE TO STAND, FACE THE FLAG, PLACE YOUR RIGHT HAND OVER YOUR HEART, AND JOIN ME IN SAYING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. E. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. WITH BAND F. PLEASE BE SEATED. 7. POST-ADMISSION PROCEDURES: A. RECOGNITION OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS: 1. 2. 3. DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. THESE LADIES DESCEND FROM THOSE PATRIOTS WHO FOUGHT TO SECURE AMERICA S INDEPENDENCE. SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR CHAPTER

ALAMO CHAPTER 4. ALAMO CITY REPUBLICAN WOMEN 5. BEXAR COUNTY DEMOCRATIC WOMEN S CLUB 6. EMPLOYEES FROM THE BEXAR COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE WHO DISTRIBUTED VOTER REGISTRATION CARDS PRIOR TO THE CEREMONY 7. BAND AND ITS CONDUCTOR, 8. VOCALIST or Vocalist s, 9. COLOR GUARD Members B. INTRODUCTION OF GUEST SPEAKER and/or SPEAKERS: C. WE WILL NOW VIEW A VIDEO WHICH INCLUDES EXCERPTS FROM PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY S INAUGURAL ADDRESS AND A PRESENTATION ENTITLED GOD BLESS THE USA. AT THE CONCLUSION OF GOD BLESS THE USA, YOU WILL SEE PHOTOGRAPHS OF SEVERAL OF OUR AMERICAN HEROES FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT. 8. FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE COURT: A. EXPRESS APPRECIATION TO:

1. 2. THE STAFF OF THE INSTITUTE OF TEXAN CULTURES, 3. THE MEMBERS OF THE VARIOUS CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS, 4. EMPLOYEES FROM THE BEXAR COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT, 5. THE BAND, 6. OUR VOCALIST or Vocalist s 7. THE COLOR GUARD, AND 8. OFFICER AND THE STAFF OF THE U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES. B. AFTER ADJOURNMENT, YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR NATURALIZA- TION CERTIFICATE. C. PRIOR TO THE CEREMONY, THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION DISTRIBUTED U.S. FLAGS AND AFTER THE CEREMONY WILL BE DISTRIBUTING A PAMPHLET ENTITLED "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND A FLAG PIN. D. THE ALAMO CITY REPUBLICAN WOMEN WILL DISTRIBUTE BOOK MARKERS CONTAINING THE WORDS TO THE UNITED STATES PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND THE TEXAS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

E. THE BEXAR COUNTY DEMOCRATIC WOMEN S CLUB WILL DISTRIBUTE A HAND-OUT CONTAINING TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND WEB SITES FOR LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES. F. EMPLOYEES FROM THE BEXAR COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE WILL BE COLLECTING YOUR COMPLETED VOTER REGISTRATION CARDS WHICH WERE DISTRIBUTED PRIOR TO THE CEREMONY. THEY WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. G. I WILL REMAIN AFTER THE CEREMONY IN THE EVENT ANY OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH TO REMEMBER THIS DAY. 9. JUDGE : BEFORE WE ADJOURN, THE U.S. ARMY MEDICAL COMMAND BAND WILL PLAY JOHN PHILIP SOUSA S STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER. 10. DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL: PLEASE STAND FOR THE RETIREMENT OF THE COLORS. 11. COLOR GUARD: SIR, REQUEST PERMISSION TO RETIRE THE COLORS, SIR. 12. JUDGE : RETIRE THE COLORS.

13. DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL: NOTE: AFTER THE COLORS ARE RETIRED, GIVE THE JUDGE TIME TO LEAVE THE COURT AND THEN MAKE THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT. COURT IS ADJOURNED. YOU MAY BE SEATED.

ITC Naturalization dates for 2012 FEB 23 MAR 22 (10am and 2pm ceremony) APR 12 JUN 28 JUL 26 SEP 27 (10am and 2pm ceremony) OCT 18 DEC 13 *All ceremonies begin at 2pm unless otherwise noted. Contact ITC Special Events for more information at 458-2275.