Citizenship Vocab

Citizen

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

Naturalized citizen

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

Civic Responsibility

These are the obligations that each person has to fulfill in society, such as voting, obeying the laws, and paying taxes.

Political Rights

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

Personal Responsibility

Obligations that each person assumes individually, accepting consequences for actions, and behaving civilly.

Common Good

The good of the community as a whole.

Individual/Personal Rights

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

Refugee

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

Resident Alien

People who have immigrated to the United States to establish permanent residence but cannot vote or run for office.

Non-Resident Alien

Aliens who expect to stay in a foreign country for a short specific time.

Illegal Alien

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

Economic Rights

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

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 intending to become a citizen.