American Identity Vocab

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Citizen

A person who legally belongs to a country and has rights and protections from that country.

Permanent resident

In the United States, one who has the right to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely. A permanent resident is also known as a 'green card' holder.

Visa holder

A person holding a visa, or a permit to do various things in the United States.

Nonimmigrant visa

Used by people who are visiting the United States under the following 2 categories: B1 and B2

B1

Business visa: conduct business on U.S. soil, sign contracts, etc.

B2

Tourism, seeking medical treatment in the U.S., visiting family/friends, attending special events.

Immigrant visa

More than 30 activities require such a visa, and these activities usually involve staying in the United States for extended periods of time. Immigrant visa holders often apply for permanent resident status and/or become naturalized U.S. citizens.

Illegal or undocumented immigrant

A foreign born person who does not possess a valid visa or other immigration documentation.

Ethnic group

The social group a person belongs to, and either identifies with or is identified with by others, as a result of a mix of cultural and other factors including language, diet, religion, ancestry and physical features traditionally associated with a race.

American system

The individual parts or subsystems that make up the United States: government, economy, education, media, entertainment, legal system, etc. These have their inspiration in the Declaration of Independence and are supported go or given legal guarantees by the U.S. Constitution.

American identity

A hard term popularly, culturally, or in most other ways. What defines one as an American at its lowest common denominator, so to speak, is American citizenship:

Birthright citizenship

A person born in the United States is automatically a U.S. citizen under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Naturalization

Becoming an American citizen through process.

American heritage

The things that belong to all Americans: American geography, American history, American culture, American ancestry, etc.

American culture

Belonging to cultural developments that occurred within America during American history, up to the present day.

Multiculturalism

The quality or condition of a society in which different ethnic and cultural groups have equal status and access to power but each maintains its own identity, characteristics, and mores.

Declaration of Independence (1776)

The founding philosophical document for the United States of America; it outlines both the reasons for America's separation from Great Britain, as well as describes the duty of government to guarantee the protection of individual rights. (Which year?)

U.S. Constitution (1787)

Founding document of the United States of America which serves as the legal basis for everything allowed under the U.S. system, whether things specific to the U.S. federal government, states rights, or the rights of individuals. (What date?)

Social contract

A deal between the citizens of a country and its system of government, where citizens agree to give up some of their freedoms in order to receive the benefits and protections they gain from their country.

Flag of the United States of America

The symbol that represents all Americans, and represents the political union of all 50 U.S. states as one nation.

Communities of involvement

The different social, political, cultural, regional, ethnic, personal interest, professional, and other communities that Americans are a part of, or may identify with.