America Is Her Flag America Is Her Flag. Fifty stars are in her flag for the 50 states in her Union. June 14, 1777, the flag of the United States of America had 13 stars-one for each state in the new Union. This flag had 13 stripes, a ribbon for each of the first colonies. And poets say the colors in our flag stand for the things we hold dear red for courage, A country is as strong as its ideals. We love the things for which Old Glory stands. You can help hold these colors high. People from all over the world come to the United States to live. They come here for many reasons. One of the most important reasons is their desire to share in the freedoms which this country offers. To fully enjoy these freedoms, most immigrants wish to become citizens. They want to be able to vote in all elections, and to be eligible for certain jobs and other benefits available only to citizens. They know that as citizens they can even run for public office and serve in any position except that of President or Vice President of the United States. An alien also looks forward to the time when, as a citizen, it will no longer be necessary for him to carry an alien registration card and to notify the Immigration and Naturalization Service of his place of residence. This chapter tells how you, a newcomer, can become a United States citizen. DISCUSS: Why did you come to this country? MEETING NEW WORDS: allegiance: Loyalty and devotion which a person owes to his country constitution: The fundamental law that normally governs the operation of a nation or state; (capitalized) the basic law of the United States declare: To make known openly; announce formally; pronounce democracy: Government of, by, and for the people eligible: Qualified for something examiner: One who questions another to test his knowledge fee: Money charged for services file: To place officially on record; to submit an application for action honorable discharge: A certificate given to a member of the armed forces upon completion of his satisfactory military service immigrant: A person who has come to a new country to make his home legal: Correct according to law loyal: Faithful to the nation; true to a friend naturalization: The giving to a person, or the receiving by a person, of citizenship of a country other than the one in which he was born oath: A solemn request to God to bear witness to the truth of a statement opposed: Against something organized: Put together according to law permanent: Lasting; fixed petition: A formal written request physically: Bodily; relating to the body preserve: Save; protect; keep from harm provisions: The terms of something, such as a law; allowance; requirements; conditions qualification: A condition, knowledge, training, or an ability that fits a person for a certain position or work, or for a benefit such as naturalization recommend: To offer or suggest action to be taken by another require: Demand; need residence: Place where a person lives responsibilities: Duties, obligations spouse: Husband or wife support: Uphold; be in favor of; also, keep up, pay the cost of witnesses: Persons brought before a judge or gov ernment official to tell what they have seen or know about something or someone Fill in the blank in each of the following sentences with the correct word from the above list: 1. The laws of the United States are made by the 2. My uncle is employed as a to keep voting records. 3. An alien must file a petition for in order to become a citizen. 4. He is visiting in New York, but his is in Chicago. 5. Many people are naturalized under the general of the law. 6. When you become a citizen, you must take an oath to the Constitution. AS YOU READ Find the answer to these questions: 1. What are some of the qualifications for becoming a citizen? 2. Where do you get an application for naturalization? AN IMMIGRANT BECOMES A CITIZEN The Congress, elected by the people of the United States, makes laws which set forth the conditions under which immigrants can become citizens. These laws assure that an immigrant can become a citizen only if he is willing to preserve and protect American democracy by fully accepting the duties and responsibilities of citizenship. Refugee Family Being Interviewed by an Immigration Officer. Who Is Eligible for Naturalization Congress passed the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1952. This law tells how an alien can become a naturalized citizen. In order to be eligible for naturalization under the general provisions: He must be 18 years of age. He must have been lawfully admitted to the United States as an immigrant, which is to say, for permanent residence. He must have resided in this country for 5 years just before applying. He must have been physically present in this country for at least a total of 30 months during this 5-year period. He must have lived for at least the last 6 months of the 5-year period in the state in which he files his petition for naturalization. He must be able to speak, understand, read, and write simple words in English, except that he need not satisfy these requirements if: He is unable to speak, understand, read, or write English by reason of a physical disability, or He was 50 years of age or older, and had lived in the United States for 20 years or more, on December 24, 1952. He must have a knowledge of United States history and the United States Constitution, and understand how the government of the United States works. He must prove that he is a person of good moral character. He must show that he is loyal to the United States and believes in its Constitution. He must prove that he is not and has not been opposed to organized government, and that he is not and has not been a Communist within 10 years before applying for naturalization. A husband and wife must apply separately for naturalization. A husband's naturalization does not make his wife a citizen, nor does a wife's naturalization make her husband a citizen. However, the spouse of a citizen may apply for naturalization after 3, instead of 5, years of residence in the United States. In such a case, the applicant must also have been married to and living with his or |