【洛杉矶时报 20141004】美国公民意味着什么

满仓

【中文标题】美国公民意味着什么
【原文标题】The meaning of U.S. citizenship
【登载媒体】洛杉矶时报
【原文作者】THE TIMES EDITORIAL BOARD
【原文链接】http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-citizenship-part-1-20141005-story.html#page=1


谁是公民？21世纪公民的含义。



近年来，美国公民的概念大量出现在与移民改革有关的争论中。我们应该给予非法移民一条“通往公民的道路”吗？非法移民的后代应当具有“出生公民权”吗？非法入境的年轻人可以无限期获得居住权吗？这是否算是“二等公民”？

但是，公民要比合法居住在这个国家的权利有更深层次、更微妙的含义。它界定了个人与国家的关系，从而拨动其爱国主义、个人责任、义务和权利的心弦。人们常说，美国是一个移民国家。那么它也是一个公民国家吗？在下面的讨论中，我们将探索这些问题，并讲述今天不断演化的公民内涵。

在美国人生活里无数的基本问题中，这个问题源于宪法中的语句。而在宪法的诸多问题中，相关的描述包含了广泛、有时甚至是矛盾的指示。例如，宪法提到了公民的“特权和豁免”，但同时它还为居住在这里的“人”提供重要的保护，无论其国籍在哪里，这其中包括受法律和司法诉讼程序的平等保护。“人”可以进入学校学习，可以工作、缴税、得到福利。

持有永久居留卡——通常称为绿卡——的人，在这个国家居住5年之后可以申请公民资格。但是如果他们从未申请成为公民，永久居民也是经济和社区活动的参与者，他们的配偶和孩子也是美国公民。有些人认为他们应当有选举权（当然是地方选举）或者有权担任陪审员。如果永久居民可以扮演政治和司法角色，那么他们是否应当满足入籍公民所需要的条件，比如流利的英语能力？

让问题变得更加复杂的是，很多美国公民——包括本地出生和后来入籍的公民——还持有其它国家的公民身份，有时还会参与外国选举，甚至加入外国军队。尽管国务院并不鼓励双重国籍，但是最高法院曾经裁决，在剥夺一个美国公民身份之前，他/她必须明确表示愿意放弃国籍身份。在国际化大趋势下，双重国籍对某些人来说颇具吸引力。这对美国的政治制度也是件好事吗？同时对多个国家效忠会削弱社会的凝聚力吗？



与此同时，“好公民”的概念被政治、法律和科技的发展所重新定义。互联网的出现改变了公民向被选举人表达意见的方式，而且可能会影响投票的走向。最高法院认可公司有权参与政治演讲的决定引起了巨大的争议，有些人甚至打算修改宪法来推翻这项决定。

在“21世纪公民”的系列报道中，《洛杉矶时报》将主要关注以下几个问题：

移民与公民。申请公民身份是让1100万移民合法化的唯一可接受方法吗？如果是的，入籍的标准是否应当更加严格？目前的移民制度是否过度倾向于家庭团圆，并不注重吸引有宝贵技能和巨大财富的潜在公民？在农业和其它产业中工作的临时工是否可以被特殊考虑给予永久居民，甚至公民身份？美国是否应该停止劝说永久居民申请公民身份？



“出生”公民权。尽管最高法院坚持认为宪法自动赋予在美国出生的婴儿公民身份——所谓的出生地国籍，但一些法律学者提出，第十四条修正案规定，美国公民是“出生在美国或者加入美国国籍，并且适用于相应的司法权限”的人，他们认为这句话让国会有足够的理由不给予临时在这个国家停留的外国或者非法拘留者的后代提供公民身份。非法移民的反对者曾经发起过废除出生公民权的运动，他们生成，这项政策会吸引女人进入这个国家产下“定锚婴儿”。这基本上是个人的臆断，但赋予初生婴儿公民身份的政策并没有被广泛接受，即使在那些现代化国家中。

公民与文化。在加利福尼亚，呼吁英语教学和英语公共服务的运动，其实隐含着边缘化移民的目的。但社会上的确存在着一些主张统一语言的观点。很多美国人都赞同已故哈佛大学教授Samuel P. Huntington的观点，他说，来自西班牙语国家的移民威胁到“把美国人民、美国文化和语言一分为二”。这种论调可以让流利的英语成为申请公民资格的条件之一吗？在公共服务机构就职的条件，除了美国公民的身份之外，是否也应包括流利的英语呢？

双重国籍。持有其它国家国籍的美国公民，在某些情况下也可以参与当地的政治活动，在其它国家的军队中服役。这是否会造成一种难堪的一仆二主的现象，同时削弱公民与美国之间的关系？或者说在全球化趋势下这是一种自然的，甚至是有利的加强横向联系的迹象？

公民的资格。目前，申请入籍的准公民必须对美国历史和政府有一定的了解。但是有些批评人士建议应当强化这类要求，确保新公民准备好参与这个国家的民主生活。因此对准公民提出比本土出生的公民更高的政治知识要求，是合理的。

非公民参与政治活动。在美国居住多年的非公民可以被允许参与选举或担任陪审员吗（类似于被Jerry Brown州长否决的那个提案）？打开这个口子可以让美国成为一个颇具吸引力的国家，其它国家的公民或许会更愿意居住（或者投资）在一个他们对管理方式有话语权的环境中，但同时也会降低人们申请公民资格的意愿。

公民的教育。批评认识说建议的核心学术标准文件把《独立宣言》和宪法当作“信息源”，而不是一切政治活动的蓝图。公立学校是否需要采取更多的行动来灌输爱国主义和公民参与的价值观？



企业公民。最高法院允许企业和社团资助政治活动的决定，是否会削弱个人公民在美国民主中扮演的角色？是否应当修改宪法来弱化企业和富有个人在政治活动中的作用？以营利为目的的企业是否应当签署一个正面的“企业公民”条约？

公民对政府的影响。尽管包括加利福尼亚在内的一些州允许公民通过某些提议和投票制定法律，但美国民主总体来说还是代表制，或是间接多样化。科技的进步不但让人们表达了更多的政治见解，还让更多的公众走到投票箱前。官方是否应当把握住这个机会，鼓励更多的公民行使他们自治的权利？

未来。移民、全球化和科技都在某种程度上削弱了传统公民的概念，那么是否有办法重振公民生活的参与度，给这个概念赋予时代含义？简单来说，是的。


来自洛杉矶的Jack Salem支持非入籍美国主义：

《洛杉矶时报》用一系列的问题论述了有关美国公民的问题，真实令人耳目一新。这些问题的解决方案触及了美国人的核心含义。文中提到，哈佛大学教授Samuel P. Huntington说，来自西班牙语国家的移民威胁到“把美国人民、美国文化和语言一分为二”。更糟糕的是，在政治层面上我们被视为“归化美国人”，包括亚裔美国人、非洲裔美国人和墨西哥裔美国人。在过去，这件事情的含义是放弃个人国籍，成为美国人。西奥多•罗斯福曾经提到过这个问题的紧迫性，必须放弃归化和原先效忠国的概念。最后，让我们不要再把合法移民和非法移民划等号，他们是不同的。

亨廷顿居民Ben Miles提到了比公民更高级的世界性关系：

对我来说，公民就好似鱼与水之间的类推法。我似乎感觉不到公民的概念，甚至不会思考这个问题，因为我一直沉浸在其中。尽管如此，我很感谢《洛杉矶时报》能提出这个问题，“公民身份对你意味着什么？”我想到的第一个感觉是同情。我所了解到的移民，无论是合法还是非法，都在努力工作，养家糊口。而且，如果没有合法或非法的这些移民，加利福尼亚的餐饮产业将陷入停滞。记住最根本的一件事情，我们都是地球上的居民，这种共性远比公民更加基本、更加普遍。

亚里索维耶荷的Joanne Zirretta对公民持一种积极的观点：

在我看来，美国的精髓就是人们可以自治，我们在法律上是平等的。为了保护第一点，实现第二点，美国公民身份让我们有责任了解周围的事情，并保持积极的态度。研究美国历史是贯穿一生的事情。当记者把腐败和不公曝光时，勇敢表达你的想法；仔细研究候选人之后再去投票；主动联系民意代表，这样他们会知道我们在关注着；出席市政会议，或者挥舞一幅抗议标语。做一些事情，任何事都可以，因为美国公民不是看台上的观众。否则，我们还不如请来一位国王。

William O. Holston说他与移民的共事经历形成了他对公民的看法：

我为寻求政治庇护的人提供无偿法律援助已经超过25年了。我发现，移民对于我们习以为常的自由有着无限的渴望。一位亲民主活动认识曾经对我说，他愿意忍受折磨，因为他知道自由的代价。我的公民身份没有让我付出任何代价，是与生俱来的。其它人为美国公民身份付出的代价无法想象，因此我相信他们会珍惜。

伍德兰居民Christine Peterson谈到了双重国籍：

我在1975年加入美国国籍，从某种程度上说，我反对双重国籍。一旦我决定在美国定居，我就与德国中断了一切联系。鱼与熊掌不可兼得，我觉得那些持有双重国籍的人是吃着碗里的看着锅里的，一旦这个国家形势有变，他们可以投奔老东家。或许这的确是有些优势，但我没有看到。

向斜谷的Bob Wieting喜欢移民带来的新文化：

几年前，在德国北部一个拥挤的火车里，我坐在一群人旁边。三个女人，姐妹或者是朋友，六七个孩子，大的10岁，小的怀抱。他们显然都不是日耳曼人，或许来自中东、美国或其它地方。一个女人戴着头巾，应该是穆斯林。无论是大人还是孩子，甚至怀抱中的小孩，都在讲德语。我很喜欢。我感觉这不需要放弃文化和信仰，也可以对新的国家表示尊重的热爱。

圣莫妮卡的英国移民Julia Jonathan说她为什么还没有准备好宣誓入籍：

在英国结婚之后，我在1961年作为一个美国公民的妻子来到这个国家，他是一个联邦认可的部落成员。我一直持有绿卡。我们有4个孩子，5个第三代，但我仍然不是美国公民。我其实很愿意向美国宣誓效忠，但可惜的是，在我为获得居民身份的誓词中，有那么几句话：“我宣誓：我完全彻底断绝并彻底放弃对我迄今为止所隶属或作为其公民的任何外国王子、当权者、国家或君主的效忠和忠诚。”的确，我知道实际上我依然可以拥有双重国籍，而且英国根本不会在乎我在一个入籍仪式中所说出的话，但我确确实实要发一个虚假的誓言，我不能强迫自己这么做。是的，我知道成千上万的人已经这么做了，但我没有借口让自己做那些错误的事情。我在24岁时来到这个国家，我的出生国曾经教育我们，誓言是神圣的。那不仅仅是一句话，而是一个誓言。这个要求把我们这些过分诚实的人排除在外，多么不幸啊。

洛杉矶居民Razmik Ikezian也是一个移民，他说公民不仅仅是一个身份，也是一项行动：

我是一名得到批准的叙利亚避难者。我被允许在美国无限期居留和工作，我将在明年2月份申请永久居民资格。对于未来的美国公民身份，我有无限的渴望。对公民身份的热切期望有两个重要原因：身份和介入公共事务。正如社论记者所指出的，公民不仅仅是一张纸，还是被所居住的社会所认可的权利，是受教育和履行指责的权利，是对民主代表制至关重要的行动。

来自尔湾的Scott Perley不认为给没有登记的移民授予公民身份会破坏社会凝聚力：

《洛杉矶时报》声称“大量、长期的非公民人口削弱了社会凝聚力，滋生了偏见和区别对待”。从什么时候开始“没有登记”被打上了“非法”的标签？至于社会凝聚力，未登记人口远比不上我们的“公民”造成的威胁。《洛杉矶时报》认为“公民身份”可以让一个人参与“民主试验”，明显指的是投票选举。但是，正如《洛杉矶时报》自己所说，“公民”不仅仅是一张纸，但是让这张纸更容易得到仅仅是为了达到某些政治目的。它不会让“富有自治精神的人”愿意接受随之而来的“责任”。称呼一个人为“公民”，不会增加社会凝聚力，也不会消除偏见。铺平通往公民的道路只会让形势更加恶化。如果我们不提供足够的政策来刺激移民，比如新的最低工资法案，移民越多麻烦就约大。

洛杉矶居民Tony Schaffer说，经济因素要比对公民身份的渴望更能刺激移民：

在工作中我认识了不少墨西哥人后裔，也了解到他们的一个明确想法，尤其是第一代移民：他们宁愿回到家乡，也不愿继续待在美国。为什么不能打开边境线，让加拿大和墨西哥人持证入境？颁发这些证件所带来的经济收益可以缓解政府的负担。“蛇头”每偷运一个人过境都能获利数千美元，想想吧，这些收入就是墨西哥和美国政府的损失。说墨西哥和其它国家的人都想要成为美国公民或许是错误的，他们仅仅是别无选择。为什么不通过让他们付费进入美国劳动力市场的方式来资本化他们的国籍需求呢？


美国入籍测试题目（附答案）

第一部分，美国政府

A，美国民主的原则

1，这个国家最高的法律是什么？
宪法

2，宪法的目的是什么？
建立政府
规范政府
保护美国人的基本权利

3，自治的理念体现在宪法的前三个字中，这三个字是什么？
We the People

4，什么是修正案？
（宪法的）改变
（宪法的）增补

5，我们管宪法前十条修正案叫什么？
权利法案

6，宪法第一修正案中的一项权利或者自由是什么？
言论
宗教
结社
出版
请愿

7，宪法共有多少条修正案
二十七（27）

8，《独立宣言》的目的是什么？
宣布我们独立（于英国）
宣告我们独立（于英国）
说美国是自由的（相对于英国）

9，《独立宣言》的两项权利是什么？
生命
自由
追求幸福

10，什么是宗教自由？
你可以信仰任何宗教，也可以不信仰任何宗教。

11，美国的经济制度是什么？
资本主义经济
市场经济

12，什么是“法治”？
所有人必须遵循法律。
领导人必须遵守法律。
政府必须遵守法律。
没有人可以凌驾于法律之上。

B，政府体制

13，列举政府的一个部门或者分支机构。
国会
立法
总统
行政
法院
司法

14，是什么让政府的某个机构不会权力过大？
权力制衡
政权分离

15，谁掌管行政机构？
总统

16，谁负责制定联邦法律？
国会
参议院和众议员
（美国或国家）立法机关

17，美国国会的两个部分是什么？
参议院和众议院

18，有多少名参议员？
一百名（100）

19，我们选举的美国参议员任期多长时间？
六年（6年）

20，列举你的州的一名现任参议员？
答案会因人而异。[哥伦比亚特区的居民可以回答没有参议员。]

21，众议院有多少名成员？
四百三十五（435）

22，我们选举出的美国众议员任期为几年？
二（2）

23，列举一名你的众议院议员？
答案会因人而异。[代表弃权地区和属地居民代表地区的居民，可以提供代表或者委员的名字，也可以说当
地没有众议院议员。]
24，美国参议员代表谁？
州内所有居民

25，为什么有些州的议员多，有些州的议员少？
（因为）人口数量不同

26，我们选举出的总统任期几年？
四（4）

27，我们在哪个月投票选举总统？
11月

28，现任美国总统是谁？
巴拉克•奥巴马
奥巴马

29，现任美国副总统是谁？
乔•拜登
拜登

30，如果总统不能继续履职，谁将成为总统？
副总统

31，如果总统和副总统都不能继续履职，谁将成为总统？
众议院议长

32，谁是军队总指挥官？
总统

33，谁最终签署法案，使之成为法律？
总统

34，谁否决法案？
总统

35，总统内阁的工作是什么？
向总统提供建议

36，列举两个内阁职位？
农业部部长
商务部部长
国防部部长
教育部部长
能源部部长
国土安全部部长
住房与城市发展部部长
内政部部长
劳动部部长
国务卿
交通部部长
财政部部长
队伍军人事务部部长
总检察长
副总统

37，司法机构的工作是什么？
审阅法律
解释法律
解决纠纷
判定法律是否违宪

38，美国最高级别的司法机构是什么？
最高法院

39，最高法院有几名法官？
九（9）

40，谁是美国现任首席大法官？
约翰•罗伯茨

41，根据宪法，有些权力属于联邦政府。列举联邦政府的一项权力？
印钞
宣战
建立军队
缔结条约

42，根据宪法，有些权力属于州。列决州政府的一项权力？
提供教育
提供保护（警察）
提供安全（消防）
发放驾驶执照
批准边界和土地使用

43，谁是你的现任州长？
答案因人而异。[哥伦比亚特区居民可以回答没有州长。]

44，你所在州的首府是哪里？
答案因人而异。[哥伦比亚特区居民可以回答特区不是一个州，因此没有首府。]

45，美国两个主要政治党派是什么？
民主党和共和党

46，现任美国总统是哪个党派的？
民主党

47，现任众议院议长是谁？
约翰•博纳

C，权利与责任

48，有4条修正案规定了选举人的条件，列举其中一个？
年满18岁的公民
你不需要是一名纳税人
任何公民都可以投票
任何种族的男性公民

49，列举一项仅适用于美国公民的责任？
担任陪审员
参与联邦选举投票

50，列举一项仅适用于美国公民的权利？
在联邦选举中投票
参与联邦竞选

51，列举在美国居住者的两项权利？
言论自由
结社自由
向政府请愿的自由
崇拜自由
持有武器的自由

52，我们宣誓效忠的对象是什么？
美国
国旗

53，列举你成为美国公民之后许下的一个承诺？
放弃对其它国家的效忠
捍卫美国的宪法和法律
遵守美国法律
在美军服役（如果需要）
为国家服务（如果需要）
对美国效忠

54，公民投票选举总统的最低年龄是？
十八岁（18）

55，列举美国人参与民主的两项活动？
投票
参加一个政治党派
参与竞选活动
参加民间社团
向当选官员提出你的见解
致电参议员和众议员
公开支持或反对一项政策
竞选政府岗位
给报刊写信

56，提交联邦收入纳税表格最晚是哪一天？
4月15日

57，男人在什么时候必须登记服兵役？
年满18周岁
18岁到26岁之间

第二部分，美国历史

A，殖民地和独立革命时期

58，列举殖民者来到美洲大陆的一个原因？
自由
政治解放
宗教自由
经济机会
从事宗教活动
逃避迫害

59，欧洲人到来之前，谁住在美洲大陆上？
美洲印第安人
土著印第安人

60，什么人被带到美国，卖作奴隶？
非洲人

61，殖民者为什么与英国交战？
因为税赋过高
因为英国军队驻扎在他们的房子里
因为他们不能自治

62，谁编写了《独立宣言》
托马斯•杰斐逊

63，《独立宣言》什么时候被正式实施？
1776年7月4日

64，列举最初成立的州中的三个名称？
新罕布什尔
马萨诸塞
罗德岛
康涅狄格
纽约
新泽西
宾夕法尼亚
特拉华
马里兰
弗吉尼亚
北卡罗来纳
南卡罗来纳
佐治亚

65，大陆会议中发生了什么事？
制定宪法
国父编写宪法

66，宪法在什么时候制定？
1787年

67，联邦党人支持通过了美国宪法，列举其作者之一？
詹姆斯•麦迪逊
亚历山大•汉密尔顿
约翰•杰伊
Publius

68，列举本杰明•富兰克林一项著名的成就？
美国外交家
制宪会议中最年长的成员
美国第一任邮政部长
《穷查理年鉴》作者
创办了第一家免费博物馆

69，“国父”是谁？
乔治•华盛顿

70，谁是第一任总统？
乔治•华盛顿

B，十九世纪

71，美国在1893年从法国手中购买了哪里？
路易斯安那

72，列举美国在十九世纪发生的一场战争？
1812年战争
美国墨西哥战争
内战
西班牙美国战争

73，美国北方与南方的战争是什么战争？
内战
南北战争

74，列举内战的原因之一？
奴隶制
经济原因
州权力

75，列举亚伯拉罕•林肯做过的一件重要的事？
解放奴隶
拯救联邦
在内战中领导美国

76，《解放奴隶宣言》的内容是什么？
解放奴隶

77，苏姗•B•安东尼做了什么事情？
争取女性的权利
争取民权

C，近代史和其它重要历史事件

78，列举美国在二十世纪参与的一场战争？
一战
二战
朝鲜战争
越南战争
海湾战争

79，一战时期的总统是谁？
伍德罗•威尔逊

80，二战和经济大萧条时期的总统是谁？
富兰克林•罗斯福

81，美国在二战期间的作战对象是谁？
日本、德国、意大利

83，艾森豪威尔在当选总统之前是一位将军，他参与了哪次战争？
二战

83，冷战期间，美国最大的顾虑是什么？
共产主义

84，哪项运动试图终止种族歧视？
民权运动

85，马丁•路德•金做了什么事情？
争取民权
为所有美国人谋求平等的权利

86，美国在2001年9月11日发生了什么事？
恐怖分子袭击美国

87，列举美国境内的一个印第安部落名称？
Cherokee
Navajo
Sioux
Chippewa
Choctaw
Pueblo
Apache
Iroquois
Creek
Blackfeet
Seminole
Cheyenne
Arawak
Shawnee
Mohegan
Huron
Oneida
Lakota
Crow
Teton
Hopi
Inuit

第三部分，公民基础知识

A，地理

88，列举美国最大的两条河流之一？
密苏里河
密西西比河

89，与美国西海岸相邻的大洋是什么？
太平洋

90，与美国东海岸相邻的大洋是什么？
大西洋

91，列举美国的一个准州？
波多黎各
美属维京群岛
美属萨摩亚
北马里亚纳群岛
关岛

92，列举一个与加拿大接壤的州？
缅因
新罕布什尔
佛蒙特
纽约
宾夕法尼亚
俄亥俄
明尼苏达
北达科他
蒙大拿
爱达荷
华盛顿
阿拉斯加

93，列举一个与墨西哥接壤的州？
加利福尼亚
亚利桑那
新墨西哥
德克萨斯

94，美国首都是哪里？
华盛顿特区

95，自由女神像被安置在哪里？
纽约
自由岛

B，标志

96，为什么国旗有13个条纹？
因为最早有13个殖民地
因为条纹代表最早的殖民地

97，为什么国旗有50个星星？
因为每个星星代表一个州
因为有50个州

98，国歌的名称是什么？
《星条旗永不落》

C，假期

99，我们庆祝独立日是在哪一天？
7月4日

100，列举美国一个公共假期？
新年
马丁•路德•金纪念日
总统日
阵亡战士纪念日
独立日
劳动节
哥伦布发现美洲纪念日
退伍军人纪念日
感恩节
圣诞节




原文：

Who is a citizen? The meaning of citizenship in the 21st Century.

In recent years, the concept of U.S. citizenship has figured in public debate largely in connection with immigration reform. Should immigrants who are in the country illegally be given a “path to citizenship”? Should children born to parents who are not here legally be entitled to “birthright citizenship”? Should young people who are here illegally be allowed to stay indefinitely as non-naturalized residents or would that constitute “second-class citizenship”?

But citizenship has meanings that are deeper and more subtle than legal permission to live in this country. It defines an individual's relationship to his country and thus strikes chords of nationalism and personal responsibility, duty and rights. America, it is often said, is a nation of immigrants. Is it also a nation of citizens? In this series, we will explore that question and examine the changing nature of citizenship today.

As with so many foundational questions in American life, this one has its roots in the language of the Constitution. And as with so many constitutional questions, that language embraces large and sometimes competing values. The Constitution refers to the "privileges and immunities" of citizenship, for example, but it also offers important protection for "persons" living here regardless of nationality, including the right to equal protection of the laws and due process of law. "Persons" may attend schools, hold jobs, pay taxes and receive benefits.

Holders of permanent resident cards — better known as green cards — may apply for citizenship after five years of living in this country. But even if they never apply for citizenship, permanent residents are participants in the economy and their local communities, and often have spouses and children who are U.S. citizens. Some would argue that they should also be allowed to vote (if only in local elections) or serve on juries. If permanent residents were to be given a role in the political process and the judicial system, should they be required to meet the same conditions imposed on naturalized citizens, such as proficiency in English?

Complicating the picture further is the fact that many U.S. citizens — native-born and naturalized — hold citizenship in another country, and sometimes vote in foreign elections and even serve in foreign armies. Although the State Department discourages dual nationality, the Supreme Court has ruled that a U.S. citizen must affirmatively intend to renounce his citizenship before it can be taken away. In an increasingly globalized world, dual citizenship is, for some, an attractive option. Is it also good for the American political process, or does the existence of multiple allegiances undermine social cohesion?

The notion of "good citizenship," meanwhile, has been redefined by political, legal and technological developments. The advent of the Internet has altered the way citizens express their opinions to, and about, their elected representatives and potentially could transform voting as well. Supreme Court decisions recognizing a right of corporations to engage in political speech have been so controversial that some would overturn them by amending the Constitution.

In "The 21st Century Citizen," The Times will take up these and other issues:

Immigration and citizenship. Is a path to citizenship the only acceptable way of legalizing 11 million immigrants? If so, should the criteria for naturalization be more rigorous? Does the current immigration system place too much emphasis on family unification and not enough on attracting potential citizens with valuable skills or financial resources? Should foreign temporary workers in agriculture and other industries receive special consideration for permanent residence and ultimately citizenship? Should the U.S. desist in efforts to persuade permanent legal residents to acquire citizenship?

"Birthright" citizenship. Although the Supreme Court has held that the Constitution ordinarily confers citizenship on children born in the U.S. — so-called jus soli citizenship — some legal scholars note that the 14th Amendment defines a U.S. citizen as anyone "born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof," a phrase they interpret as a license for Congress to exclude from citizenship persons born of foreigners in the country temporarily or illegally. The campaign to abolish birthright citizenship has been led by opponents of illegal immigration who claim that it induces women to come to this country to give birth to "anchor babies." That's largely a canard, but the idea that place of birth guarantees citizenship is not universally accepted, even among modern nations.

Citizenship and culture. In California, campaigns for English-only education or public services often have been veiled efforts to marginalize immigrants. But there are serious, nonpunitive arguments for the unifying effects of a common language. Many Americans agree with the late Harvard professor Samuel P. Huntington that immigration from Spanish-speaking countries threatens "to divide the United States into two peoples, two cultures and two languages." Does this concern justify a more exacting requirement for proficiency in English as a condition of citizenship? Should mastery of English also be a requirement for holding public office over and above the requirement of U.S. citizenship?

Dual citizenship. U.S. citizens who hold citizenship in another country in some cases are able to participate in the political life of that country and to serve in its armed forces. Does this create an undesirable dual loyalty and undermine the bond between citizens and the United States? Or is it a natural and even advantageous reflection of the interconnectedness that comes with globalization?

Qualifications for citizenship. Currently, naturalized citizens must demonstrate a familiarity with U.S. history and government. But some critics suggest that the requirements should be strengthened to ensure that new citizens are better prepared to participate in the democratic process, and that it's legitimate to impose higher standards of political knowledge on would-be citizens than are required of native-born citizens.

Political participation by noncitizens. Should long-term noncitizen residents of the U.S. be permitted to vote in elections or serve on juries (as a bill vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown would have allowed)? Such openness could make the U.S. an attractive place for citizens of other countries who might be more willing to live (and invest) in communities where they would have a say over how they were governed, though it also would remove an incentive to pursuing full citizenship.

Education in citizenship. Proposed Common Core academic standards have been criticized for treating the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as "sources of information" and not as blueprints for political engagement. Should public schools do more to inculcate values of patriotism and civic participation?

Corporate citizenship. Have Supreme Court decisions allowing corporations and unions to spend money on political campaigns undermined the role of individual citizens in American democracy? Should the Constitution be amended to decrease the role of corporations and wealthy individuals in the political process? Is there a positive notion of "corporate citizenship" to which profit-making businesses should subscribe?

Citizens' influence in government. Although some states, including California, allow citizens to enact laws directly through initiatives and referendums, in general American democracy is of the representative or indirect variety. Advances in technology make it possible for a dramatic increase not only in the expression of political opinions but also, potentially, in public access to the ballot box. Should officials seize on that opportunity to encourage more citizens to exercise their right to self-government?

The future. Immigration, globalization and technology all have taxed traditional notions of citizenship, but are there ways to reinvigorate participation in civic life that would give modern meaning to the idea? In short, yes.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

A: Principles of American Democracy

1. What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution

2. What does the Constitution do?
sets up the government
defines the government
protects basic rights of Americans

3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People

4. What is an amendment?
a change (to the Constitution)
an addition (to the Constitution)

5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
the Bill of Rights

6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
speech
religion
assembly
press
petition the government

7. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
twenty-seven (27)

8. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
announced our independence (from Great Britain)
declared our independence (from Great Britain)
said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)

9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
life
liberty
pursuit of happiness

10. What is freedom of religion?
You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

11. What is the economic system in the United States?*
capitalist economy
market economy

12. What is the “rule of law”?
Everyone must follow the law.
Leaders must obey the law.
Government must obey the law.
No one is above the law.
B: System of Government

13. Name one branch or part of the government.*
Congress
legislative
President
executive
the courts
judicial

14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
checks and balances
separation of powers

15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?
the President

16. Who makes federal laws?
Congress
Senate and House (of Representatives)
(U.S. or national) legislature

17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*
the Senate and House (of Representatives)

18. How many U.S. Senators are there?
one hundred (100)

19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
six (6)

20. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?*
Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories should answer that D.C. (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. Senators.]

21. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
four hundred thirty-five (435)

22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
two (2)

23. Name your U.S. Representative.
Answers will vary. [Residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners may provide the name of that Delegate or Commissioner. Also acceptable is any statement that the territory has no (voting) Representatives in Congress.]

24. Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
all people of the state

25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
(because of) the state’s population
(because) they have more people
(because) some states have more people

26. We elect a President for how many years?
four (4)

27. In what month do we vote for President?*
November

28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*
Barack Obama
Obama

29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Joe Biden
Biden

30. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the Vice President

31. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the Speaker of the House

32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
the President

33. Who signs bills to become laws?
the President

34. Who vetoes bills?
the President

35. What does the President’s Cabinet do?
advises the President

36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Commerce
Secretary of Defense
Secretary of Education
Secretary of Energy
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Secretary of Homeland Security
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary of the Interior
Secretary of Labor
Secretary of State
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Attorney General
Vice President

37. What does the judicial branch do?
reviews laws
explains laws
resolves disputes (disagreements)
decides if a law goes against the Constitution

38. What is the highest court in the United States?
the Supreme Court

39. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
nine (9)

40. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts (John G. Roberts, Jr.)

41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
to print money
to declare war
to create an army
to make treaties

42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
provide schooling and education
provide protection (police)
provide safety (fire departments)
give a driver’s license
approve zoning and land use

43. Who is the Governor of your state now?
Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a Governor.]

44. What is the capital of your state?*
Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital. Residents of U.S. territories should name the capital of the territory.]

45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?*
Democratic and Republican

46. What is the political party of the President now?
Democratic (Party)

47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
(John) Boehner
C: Rights and Responsibilities

48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
A male citizen of any race (can vote).

49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*
serve on a jury
vote in a federal election

50. Name one right only for United States citizens.
vote in a federal election
run for federal office

51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
freedom of expression
freedom of speech
freedom of assembly
freedom to petition the government
freedom of worship
the right to bear arms

52. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
the United States
the flag

53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
give up loyalty to other countries
defend the Constitution and laws of the United States
obey the laws of the United States
serve in the U.S. military (if needed)
serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)
be loyal to the United States

54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*
eighteen (18) and older

55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
vote
join a political party
help with a campaign
join a civic group
join a community group
give an elected official your opinion on an issue
call Senators and Representatives
publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
run for office
write to a newspaper

56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*
April 15

57. When must all men register for the Selective Service?
at age eighteen (18)
between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)

AMERICAN HISTORY

A: Colonial Period and Independence

58. What is one reason colonists came to America?
freedom
political liberty
religious freedom
economic opportunity
practice their religion
escape persecution

59. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians
Native Americans

60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
Africans
people from Africa

61. Why did the colonists fight the British?
because of high taxes (taxation without representation)
because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)
because they didn’t have self-government

62. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
(Thomas) Jefferson

63. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776

64. There were 13 original states. Name three.
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia

65. What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitution was written.
The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.

66. When was the Constitution written?
1787

67. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
(James) Madison
(Alexander) Hamilton
(John) Jay
Publius

68. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
U.S. diplomat
oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
first Postmaster General of the United States
writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac”
started the first free libraries

69. Who is the “Father of Our Country”?
(George) Washington

70. Who was the first President?*
(George) Washington
B: 1800s

71. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
the Louisiana Territory
Louisiana

72. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
War of 1812
Mexican-American War
Civil War
Spanish-American War

73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
the Civil War
the War between the States

74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
slavery
economic reasons
states’ rights

75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*
freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
saved (or preserved) the Union
led the United States during the Civil War

76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
freed the slaves
freed slaves in the Confederacy
freed slaves in the Confederate states
freed slaves in most Southern states

77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?
fought for women’s rights
fought for civil rights
C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

78. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.*
World War I
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
(Persian) Gulf War

79. Who was President during World War I?
(Woodrow) Wilson

80. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
(Franklin) Roosevelt

81. Who did the United States fight in World War II?
Japan, Germany, and Italy

82. Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
World War II

83. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
Communism

84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
civil rights (movement)

85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*
fought for civil rights
worked for equality for all Americans

86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
Terrorists attacked the United States.

87. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
[USCIS Officers will be supplied with a list of federally recognized American Indian tribes.]
Cherokee
Navajo
Sioux
Chippewa
Choctaw
Pueblo
Apache
Iroquois
Creek
Blackfeet
Seminole
Cheyenne
Arawak
Shawnee
Mohegan
Huron
Oneida
Lakota
Crow
Teton
Hopi
Inuit

INTEGRATED CIVICS

A: Geography

88. Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States
Missouri (River)
Mississippi (River)

89. What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
Pacific (Ocean)

90. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
Atlantic (Ocean)

91. Name one U.S. territory.
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
American Samoa
Northern Mariana Islands
Guam

92. Name one state that borders Canada.
Maine
New Hampshire
Vermont
New York
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Michigan
Minnesota
North Dakota
Montana
Idaho
Washington
Alaska

93. Name one state that borders Mexico.
California
Arizona
New Mexico
Texas

94. What is the capital of the United States?*
Washington, D.C.

95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?*
New York (Harbor)
Liberty Island
[Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]
B: Symbols

96. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
because there were 13 original colonies
because the stripes represent the original colonies

97. Why does the flag have 50 stars?*
because there is one star for each state
because each star represents a state
because there are 50 states

98. What is the name of the national anthem?
The Star-Spangled Banner
C: Holidays

99. When do we celebrate Independence Day?*
July 4

100. Name two national U.S. holidays.
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Presidents’ Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas