Info about Citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship in the United States guarantees certain duties, privileges, economic benefits, and rights. People who are born in the United States are automatically a citizen. This type of citizenship is called birthright citizenship. Another way that people can become citizens of the United States is to become a naturalized citizen. Most people who choose to become naturalized citizens are doing it to be able to reside in the country and legally work. United States citizenship is not dependent on participating in politics, obeying laws, paying taxes, voting or serving in the military. However, citizens are allowed to be involved in politics or join the military if they desire. United States citizenship is a status that says a person has certain specific rights including the right to live in the United States and work to earn a living. Citizens can also qualify for government benefits. United States laws allow citizens of the United States to also have dual citizenship, meaning that they can also be a citizen of another country. Citizenship can be taken away by the government under certain circumstances or rejected by the citizen. It can also be restored if certain terms are met. General Robert E. Lee lost birthright citizenship when he joined the confederacy to fight in the Civil War. However, when the war was over, his citizenship to the United States was earned back through naturalization.
The idea of citizenship has been different for other times and cultures. Athenian citizenship required the citizen-soldier to participate in certain civic duties in order to learn to fight in the military. To be a citizen of Rome in early times the citizen was also required to commit to the military and fight for the cause. There are not many commitments required for United States citizenship in comparison. There are no required military duties or government participations. In the United States it is simply a legal standing that says the persona has a right to work and live in the country without having to worry about being deported. Sometimes United States citizenship is referred to as the right to certain rights.
One of the only duties of United States citizenship is the duty to serve on a jury. This requirement makes sure that people have the chance to participate in the court system. In recent times jury duty has decreased. There have been less trials. Newspapers have reported that the decline in summoning citizens to serve on a jury. Many United States citizens look at jury duty as an inconvenience. Avoiding serving on a jury has very rarely cost anyone their United States citizenship. However, a person who is not a citizen cannot serve on a jury.
United States citizenship it a status and a privilege that should not be taken for granted. It guarantees the rights to live and work in the United States and gives a person the right to certain government services. There a relatively few duties required of a United States citizen. Basically, jury duty is the only required duty.