Being a citizen

The Constitution protects almost everyone who lives in the United States, not only citizens. These rights belong to people living here, citizen or not. They include freedom of speech and freedom of expression. They include freedom of religion and freedom of assembly. They also include the freedom to ask the government to fix a problem, and the right to bear arms. If a test question asks for rights of everyone living in the United States, any of these is a correct answer. One question asks for two of them and another asks for three, so learn at least three.

A few rights are kept for citizens alone. Only a citizen may vote in a federal election, which means an election for President, for the Senate, or for the House of Representatives. Only a citizen may run for federal office. Only a citizen may serve on a jury, though the test files that under responsibilities.

Citizenship brings other advantages that the test does not ask about directly. A permanent resident can be deported. A citizen normally cannot. That changes only if a court later cancels the citizenship because it should never have been granted or because the application hid something important. A citizen can apply for a United States passport and can ask a United States embassy for help while abroad. Many federal government jobs are open only to citizens. A citizen can also petition for more family members to join them than a permanent resident can.

There is more than one way to become a citizen. Many people are citizens because they were born in the United States, under the conditions written in the 14th Amendment. Others naturalize, which is the legal process a permanent resident normally goes through and which ends with the Oath of Allegiance. Some children become citizens through their parents (derive citizenship), under rules that Congress sets.

Here is a simple way to remember the difference. The basic freedoms are for everyone who lives here. Voting in federal elections, running for federal office, and serving on a jury are for citizens. One warning: if the question asks for a right only for citizens, answer voting in a federal election or running for federal office. Jury service is counted as a responsibility, not a right.

Living in the United States comes with duties as well as rights. Everyone here, citizen or not, must obey federal, state and local law. Everyone must pay taxes honestly and on time. Everyone is expected to respect the rights and beliefs of other people. Staying informed about what is happening in your community is part of it too.

Two responsibilities on the test belong only to citizens. One is serving on a jury when a court calls you. The other is voting in a federal election. If a question asks for a responsibility that is only for United States citizens, either of those answers is accepted.

Voting is unusual because it is a right and a responsibility at the same time. Nobody is fined for staying at home on Election Day, because voting is not compulsory in the United States. But elected officials answer to the people who actually vote, so most Americans treat voting as a duty, not as something optional.

There are many ways to take part in American democracy. If a question asks for ways Americans participate, any two answers from this list are correct. Vote, run for office, or join a political party. Help with a campaign, join a civic group, or join a community group. Give an elected official your opinion on an issue, or call your senators and your representative. Publicly support or oppose an issue or policy, or write to a newspaper.

The test also asks how Americans can serve their country. For that question the test accepts six answers: vote; pay taxes; obey the law; serve in the military; run for office; and work for local, state or federal government. Volunteering in your community is service too, but for the test answer use one from the list above.

New citizens promise to support and defend the Constitution and to help defend the country if the need arises. That big promise is the reason for all the small daily duties: paying what you owe, answering a court summons, respecting your neighbors, and knowing enough about the issues to vote well.

Naturalization ends with a public ceremony where you take the Oath of Allegiance. Until you take that oath, you are not yet a citizen, even if your application has already been approved. At the ceremony you hand in your Permanent Resident Card and receive a Certificate of Naturalization.

The oath contains several promises. You give up loyalty to any other country and to its ruler. You promise to support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States against all enemies. You promise to be loyal to the United States. You also promise three kinds of service, if the law ever asks for them. One is to serve in the military. One is to serve in the armed forces without fighting. One is to do important work for the country as a civilian.

A test question may ask you to name one or two promises from the oath. Any of the promises above is a correct answer.

You also promise that you are taking the oath freely, with no hidden plan to avoid it. A few exceptions exist. Some religions do not allow a person to carry weapons. A person like that can take the oath without the promise to bear arms. They must show proof of their belief. A person who cannot understand the oath because of a disability may be excused from taking it.

The Pledge of Allegiance is a different thing from the Oath of Allegiance, and the two are easy to confuse. The Pledge is a short promise said while facing the flag. People say it at school, at public meetings, and at naturalization ceremonies. When Americans say the Pledge of Allegiance, they show loyalty to the flag and to the United States. Nobody can be forced to say it.

The oath is about loyalty, not about paperwork in the country you came from. Whether that country still treats you as one of its citizens is decided by its own law. Ask its embassy if this matters to you.