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Ministry Tools:  Citizenship Materials

A lawful permanent resident alien applying for U. S. Citizenship will have to pass an exam testing his or her knowledge of English, U.S. history and government.  Many churches and organizations are helping new immigrants prepare for the citizenship exam.  The USCIS Web site has numerous materials available to help.

Following are some links offering practical study tools:
Click here for a video overview of American History and Civics.
Click here for printable civics flash cards.
Click here for a lengthy Citizen's Almanac.
Click here for sample U.S. history and government questions available in English, Spanish and Chinese.
Click here to download copies of the U.S. Constitution in multiple languages.

United States Immigration Laws (Part 1) - 1776-1800 

With the New Year, I am starting a series on the history of United States immigration law. A great overview is available at the Law Library of Congress.

If you see any errors or would like to make additions or corrections, please let me know.

The Naturalization Act of 1790

In 1783, the United States officially ended its war of independence from Britain with the Treaty of Paris.  Seven years later, the first major immigration law for the United States was passed:  the Naturalization Act of 1790. 

The requirements for citizenship under this law were:

The applicant must have been a free white person who resided within the "jurisdiction of the United States" for two years, applied to the common-law court of the state where he resided for one year, proved that he was a person of good character and took an oath to support the Constitution of the United States.

Interestingly, children of the new citizen under age 21 were automatically granted citizenship provided that they resided in the United States.  Any children born afterward beyond the "sea or out of the limits of the United States" were considered U. S. Citizens.  The right of citizenship, however, did not descend to persons whose fathers never resided in the United States and also limited citizenship to persons who were "proscribed" by any state.

Five years later, the Naturalization Act of 1795 replaced the earlier act. It allowed any "free white person" to become a citizen. In contrast to the earlier version, the new Act lengthened the requirement that a person reside in the United States from two to five years and in a state from one to two years before citizenship could be granted. It also required a person to declare their intent to become a citizen three years prior to naturalization. In addition to being of good moral character, the immigrant also had to be "well disposed to the good order and happiness" of the United States Constitution.  Moreover, persons who had hereditary titles or were nobility were required to renounce it. And the Act prohibited persons who were "legally convicted of having joined the army of Great Britain during the late war" from becoming citizens without the consent of their state legislature.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Three years later in 1798, the United States found itself waging the "Quasi War" with France on the high seas. Click here to read about it.

Against this backdrop, Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798.  These were four different acts and three of them dealt with immigration. The Naturalization Act was amended to increase the length of U.S. residency required for citizenship from five to 14 years. It also increased the notice time required to declare the intent to become a citizen from three to five years. This act was repealed in 1802. Click here to read about it.

The Act Concerning Aliens of 1798 allowed the president to deport all aliens in the United States that he deemed "dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States."  This Act expired in 1800. Click here to read about it.

Finally, the Alien Enemies Act authorized the president to apprehend and deport aliens if their home country was at war with the United States. It is still in effect and is codified at 50 U.S.C. §§21-24. Click here to read about it.

Aside from the requirements to gain citizenship, there were no other laws that dealt with general immigration. Thus, aliens who did not become citizens simply resided in the country legally.

Coming in February: U.S. Immigration Laws 1800-1900

The following trainings are through Catholic Charities Clinic:  
           
Jan. 30-31, 2008              
Family Immigration Law
Miami Shores, Florida         

Feb. 7-8, 2008
Citizenship
Arlington, Texas

For more information, click here. 

Texas Bar Association

Immigration Law 2008 (live)
Houston - Feb 28-29, 2008
Westin Galleria Hotel
Houston, Texas

For more information click here.

"Never stop praying, especially for others"  (Ephesians 6:18)

We get many calls from individuals who need prayer regarding their immigration situation. Please pray for their requests and ask that the Lord's will be done. 

·    Bryan, New Mexico. Bryan is appealing an immigration court decision that denied his spouse and child entry into the United States.

·    Virgilio, Texas. Virgilio is a pastor in the appeal process to re-enter the United States.

·    William, Texas. William is in immigration detention.

If you or anyone you know would like to be added to this prayer list, or if you have immigration news that you would like to share, please contact me at Richard.Munoz@bgct.org.