Civics Studies Block Vocabulary Citizenship

Citizen

A person who is a legal member of a nation, country, or self-governing community.

Naturalized citizen

A legal permanent resident that passes a test to show they understand the history and Constitution of the US.

Civic Responsibility

Obligations that each person has to society. Like voting, obeying the laws, paying taxes.

Personal Responsibility

Obligations that each person assumes individually; accepting consequences for actions, behave in a civil manner.

Common Good

The good of the community as a whole.

Refugee

People who must flee from danger in their native countries and find residence outside their homeland.

Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)

Immigrants who have been granted a Visa document saying they have permission to travel to the US.

Undocumented Immigrant (Illegal Alien)

Individuals who enter the United States without a legal permission or who enter as tourists and stay longer than their tourist status allows.

Economic Rights

Rights needed to earn a living and to acquire and transfer property or to produce goods and services.

Political Rights

Allow citizens to participate in the political process; due process of law, serve on juries, seek, and hold public office.

Individual/Personal Rights

Specific rights that belong to each person, such as those listed in the Bill of Rights rather than general rights.

Jus Soli

Being born on American Soil

Jus Sanguine

Being born of American parents.

Naturalization

A legal process to obtain citizenship.

Immigrant

A person coming to the United States with the intent to become a citizen.