Citizen in the United States

Citizen in the History Definition

A citizen, in the popular and appropriate sense of the term, is one who, by birth, naturalization or otherwise, is a member of an independent political society called a state, kingdom or empire, and as such is subject to its laws and entitled to its protection in all his rights incident to that relation.

In English Law (it means an) inhabitant of a city (…) The representative of a city, in parliament.

In American Law: One who, under the constitution and laws of the United States, has a right to vote for public oificers, and who is qualified to fill offices in the gift of the people. One of the sovereign people; a constituent member of the sovereignty, synonymous with the people (…) “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.” Const. U.S. Amend. XIV. (1)

The Responsibilities of Citizenship

The privileges and freedoms inherent in self-government are balanced by the duties and responsibilities citizenship. Citizens must help finance government according to their ability and must obey the laws and regulations which they, through the exercise of their franchise, have helped frame.

Foremost among the responsibilities of citizenship is the wise use of the power of the ballot. An informed electorate is the surest guarantee of the survival of democracy. Whether the issue is paving a street in the town in which they live or approving a major change in U.S. foreign policy, American voters have the duty to cast their votes on the basis of all the information available.

A second major responsibility is public service. Millions of American men and women have entered the armed forces to defend their country in times of national emergency. Millions more have served in peacetime to maintain the country’s military strength. Americans, young and old alike, have joined the Peace Corps and other volunteer organizations for social service at home and abroad. Nor is volunteer service confined to government-sponsored activities. From parent-teacher associations and Little League baseball groups at the local level, to consumer lobbies and foreign policy associations at the national and international levels, Americans contribute freely of their time and talents in support of causes in which they believe.

A relatively small number of persons choose politics as a lifetime career. But there are literally millions of citizens who have entered government service at all levels. Some are professionals in the field of public administration, with years of study at the university and post-graduate level behind them. Others have made their mark first in private enterprise and later in government service.

The judicial system relies on the service of citizens as members of juries in federal, state and local courts. Every American of legal age is subject to jury duty, unless he or she can show that such service would constitute a revere personal hardship. Grand juries have enormous powers to investigate wrong-doing by public officials as well as private citizens. Trial juries sit in judgment of their fellow citizens charged with violations of the law. (2)

Elegibility for U.S. Citizenship

Generally, to be eligible for United States citizenship, applicants must:

• Have been a Legal Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) for at least 5 years OR 3 years if you have been married to a U.S. citizen for three years, and
• Have made a home in the U.S. for at least the past 5 years OR if you have been married to a U.S. citizen for 3 years, have made a home in the U.S. for at least 3 years, and
• Be at least 18 years old, have good moral character, and know basic English and basic United States history and government (Note: There are some exceptions for the English and United States history and government requirements)

Resources

Notes and References

1. This definition of Citizen is based on The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
2. “An outline of American government” (1980), by Richard C. Schroeder