ISS Lesson 6

Civil Disobedience

Both a political tactic and the basis of movements advocating social change (there is no right way), exemplified by figures like Harriet Tubman and Gandhi.

Methods of the Civil Rights Movement

Include non-violent direct action, self-defense, non-corporation, media/news, and legislation.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Prohibited discrimination based on race, religion, and national origin in employment.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Protects the rights of minorities to vote in elections.

The Civil Rights Act of 1968

Includes Title Vlll(8) which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, and sex in the sale and rental of housing (Fair Housing Act)

Bills can be suggested by:

Lobbyists, Citizens, Presidents but must then be submitted by a member of Congress

A bill can be introduced to…

House of Representatives and Senate

Who is Chuck Schumer?

Senate Majority Leader

What is the Senate Majority Leader (Chuck Schumer)?

Presides over the US Senate in the absence of the vice president

Who is Mike Johnson

Speaker of the House

What is the Speaker of the House (Mike Johnson)?

Influences laws and chooses Committee Leaders

Who is Kamala Harris?

Vice President

What is the Vice President (Kamala Harris)?

President of the Senate: Tie-breaker Vote

Purpose of Committees

• House and Senate both have committees

• Work is divided among smaller groups

• Decide which bills move on to the next step and most don't make it past committees

Standing Committees

permanent panel with full legislative functions and oversight responsibilities

Subcommittees

formed to tackle very specific tasks within the jurisdiction of the full committees

Select or special committees

groups appointed for a limited purpose and limited duration

Joint committees

include members of both chambers to conduct studies or perform housekeeping tasks

Conference committee

includes members of the House and Senate to work out differences between similar bills

Which committee has most of the work?

Standing Committee

Filibuster

also known as talking out a bill, is a tactic used to delay or entirely prevent debate or votes on a specific proposal

Longest Filibuster?

Civil Rights Act 1957, 24 hours and 18 minutes - Strom Thurmond

Override Veto

Congress may override a veto by passing the act by a ⅔ vote in both the House and the Senate. (Power)

Citizenship

Citizen is a member of a state with certain rights and responsibilities. These are granted to citizens either because they were born in the state or because they have gone through the process of obtaining citizenship.

Birthright Citizenship?

Natural Born

Naturalization

a process that foreign-born people go through if they want to become citizens

Naturalization Average Processing Time?

14.5 Months

First Step of Naturalization

Check eligibility for US citizenship

First Step Process

• Valid Green card for 5 years

• Have been a spouse of a US citizen for at least 3 years

• Have served in the US military

• Are the child of US citizens

Second Step of Naturalization

Complete Form N-400

Second Step Process

The application asks for information about:

• Current and past residences

• Your parents

• Current and past employment

• Education

• Time outside of the US

• Martial history, children

• Numerous personal questions

Third Step of Naturalization

Obtain 2 Color Photographs

Fourth Step of Naturalization

Photocopy Documents

Fifth Step of Naturalization

Send your application package

Sixth Step of Naturalization

Fingerprint/Background Check

Seventh Step of Naturalization

Attend Naturalization Interview

Seventh Step Process

• The final steps of becoming a US citizen take place during the naturalization interview

• You will be asked questions about your application and background, your character, and your willingness to take an oath of allegiance to the U.S.

Eighth Step of Naturalization

Take the English and Civics Test

Eighth Step Process

During your US naturalization interview, you will be tested on your ability to read, write, and speak English and on your knowledge of US civics

If one fails, they will be scheduled to retake the test in 60-90 days on the portion of the test they failed.

80% passing rate

Need to be 18 or older to take the test

There are translators on site if they can not speak English

Ninth Step of Naturalization

Wait for the Decision

Ninth Step Process

• The agency will either grant your citizenship request, continue your case (pending a second interview or additional documents), or deny your application

• You may request a hearing with the USCIS (Form N-336) if you believe your application was unfairly denied

Tenth Step of Naturalization

Take the Oath

Tenth Step Process

• If you are granted US citizenship, you must take the Oath of Allegiance to the US. After taking the Oath, you will receive your Certificate of Naturalization and be a US citizen. Be sure to return your green card to USCIS when you check in for the Oath ceremony

Key Principles of the Oath of Allegiance

• Completely give up all loyalty to leaders and government to other countries

• Will protect the Constitution and all laws from all enemies, from other countries, or from inside the US

• My loyalty is to the United States only

Who are the Dreamers?

Dreamers are young people who live in the US without documents.

Which senator would introduce legislation that would help Dreamers earn their way to legal status? What is this legislation referred to?

Senator Richard Derman would introduce legislation to help Dreamers earn their way to legal status. This legislation is referred to as the DREAM Act.

Has this act been passed by Congress yet?

This act has not been passed by Congress yet because there is not enough support from both the House and the Senate.

In 2012, which president would pass an executive order to temporarily allow Dreamers access to residency and the ability to work? What is this executive order known as?

Obama would pass an executive order to temporarily allow Dreamers access to residency and the ability to work. This executive order is known as DACA.

What does DACA stand for?

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Who would issue an executive order to repeal DACA and when?

Trump issued an executive order to repeal DACA in 2017.

After the executive order to repeal DACA occurred, what events would follow?

Trump will repeal DACA but the Supreme Court denied the offer and Joe preserved it with an Executive order

What was the verdict for Plyler v. Doe (1982)?

The verdict for Plyler v. Doe was that students with undocumented status have the right to attend public schools.

What struggles did undocumented students have after graduation?

Undocumented students faced challenges such as not being able to apply for financial aid, not being able to apply for work, and facing discrimination (they don't have social security which is required for ALL citizens)

What is DACA designation?

DACA designation is temporary and must be renewed every two years

What is the percentage of Hispanic people make up in the US?

According to the 2020 census, Hispanic people make up 18.7% of the US population. It is the second-largest ethnic group in America.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

The Federal agency that manages lawful U.S. immigration

Undocumented

A term used to refer to immigrants living in the U.S. without lawful permission

Nonimmigrant

Someone visiting the United States temporarily

Green Card

An identification card issued by the USCIS that proves lawful permanent residency

Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)

An immigrant with permission to live and work in the United States

Visa

A travel document issued by the country a person is traveling to that grants entry to that country

Asylum

Safety; protection from danger

Deportation

Removal from a country

DREAMer

Someone who illegally entered the U.S. as a child

1) Bill is Born

Anyone may draft a bill; however, only members of Congress can introduce legislation, and, by doing so, become the sponsor(s). The president, a member of the cabinet, or the head of a federal agency can also propose legislation, although a member of Congress must introduce it.

2) Committee Action

As soon as a bill is introduced, it is referred to a committee. At this point, the bill is examined carefully and its chances for passage are first determined. If the committee does not act on a bill, the bill is effectively “dead”.

3) Subcommittee Review

Often, bills are referred to a sub-committee for study and hearings. Hearing provides the opportunity to put on the record the views of the executive branch, experts, other public officials and supporters, and opponents of the legislation.

4) Mark Up

When the hearings are completed, the sub-committee may meet to “mark up” the bill; that is, make changes and amendments prior to recommending the bill to the full committee. If a sub-committee votes not to report legislation to the full committee, the bill dies. If the committee votes for the bill and it’s approved it moves on.

5) Floor Debate

Debate time for a measure is normally divided between proponents and opponents. Each side yields to those members who wish to speak on the bill. When amendments are offered, these are also debated and voted upon

6) Voting

After the debate and the approval of any amendments, the bill is passed or defeated by the members voting

7) Referral to Other Chamber

When the House or Senate passes a bill, it is referred to the other chamber, where it usually follows the same route through committee and floor action. This chamber may approve the bill as received, reject it, ignore it, or change it.

8) Conference Committee Action

When the actions of the other chamber significantly alter the bill, a conference committee is formed to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions. If the conferees are unable to reach agreement, the legislation dies. If agreement is reached, a conference report is prepared describing the committee members’ recommendations for changes. Both the House and Senate must approve the conference report.

9) Final Action

After both the House and Senate have approved a bill in identical form, it is sent to the president. If the president approves of the legislation, he signs it and it becomes law. Or if the president takes no action for then days, while Congress is in session, it automatically becomes law. If the president opposes the bill he can veto it; or if he takes no action after the Congress has adjourned its second session, it is a “pocket veto” and the legislation dies.

10) Overriding a Veto

If the president vetoes a bill, Congress may attempt to “override the veto”. If both the Senate and the House pass the bill by a ⅔ majority, the president’s veto is overruled and the bill becomes law.