A citizen is a person who is legally recognized as a full member of a particular nation or political community, with all the rights and obligations that come along with this status. Citizenship is usually granted by birth, but it can also be acquired through naturalization, which involves becoming a citizen through an application process and taking an oath of allegiance to the country. Different nations, states, and commonwealths have their own citizenship laws and processes. Citizenship is important because it gives people a sense of belonging to a certain place and allows them to form a sense of identity that may not be easily changed.
A good citizen obeys the law of his country and pays his taxes properly, he protects his environment with exemplary conducts, makes use of his rights to influence the direction of politics by voting and he acts according to the prevailing principles of fairness, justice and morality. He is kind and helpful to his fellow man, he respects the property of others and he cares for his family well.
Ideally, a good citizen should always remember the importance of democracy and what he owes to his country. He or she should always participate in elections, especially local ones that can have a major impact on the lives of everyday people. He or she should also keep track of what is happening in his or her country at large and his or her immediate community. He or she should try to learn as much as possible about American history and culture, including reading Alexis de Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America.”
In a recent survey conducted by Pew Research Center, around three-quarters of Americans said that voting in elections was very important for being a good citizen. Seven-in-ten of them said the same thing about paying taxes and always following the law. There were sizable partisan differences, however, on some of these questions, and younger and older adults had different views of what was very important for being a good citizen.
Generally speaking, most new citizens come into the United States through naturalization. This is the process by which a lawful permanent resident (often called a green card holder) can become a citizen after meeting specific requirements and completing the citizenship application process, which includes a civics test, interview, and biometric screening. Those who wish to gain citizenship through naturalization must be in the United States for at least five years and have been lawful residents for at least three of those years.
Alternatively, immigrants can gain citizenship by investing at least $1.8 million in the United States and creating at least 10 jobs through the EB-5 visa program. This type of immigration typically comes with strict requirements, and it is important to talk to a qualified immigration attorney for more information. However, it is an attractive option for those who want to become a US citizen quickly.