Brendan McCabe
11/17/17
FYS-1000-06
Citizenship Policy Proposal
Today, the United States of America falls under a multicultural form of citizenship. The multicultural form of citizenship grants all immigrants equal rights in all aspects of society without them having to give up their cultures. However, immigrants are expected to adapt to key values that Americans’ live by. Multiculturalism best applies to the United States today because Americans’ come from all walks of life and represent many different ethnicities, religions, and races. It is important to note that the United States does not have a multicultural government policy, rather the laissez-faire approach. This means that “…cultural difference and the existence of ethnic communities are accepted, but not seen as the role of the state to ensure social justice or to support the maintenance of ethnic cultures” (Castles, Miller 248). This multicultural model is most fair and suitable for the United States because everyone has equal rights, no matter if they are a United States citizen or not. In addition, everyone who is a United States citizen can fully participate in the state, which includes having the right to vote, the right to run for public office, and duty to serve on a jury. Being American represents a melting pot of people from all over the world that demonstrate the unity of a nation. I am arguing that the United States has a multicultural form of citizenship because of its policies of jus soli, jus sanguinis, naturalization, and dual citizenship.
In my form of multicultural citizenship for the United States, jus soli is recognized by birth on United States soil, but separate guidelines for immigrants who come here illegally. Therefore, if both parents are already citizens or if they have a visa or green card and their baby is born on United States soil, the baby will be granted United States citizenship upon birth. However, if the mother and father are here illegally, citizenship will not be granted to their child. This policy will deter illegal immigrants from hopping over the border, and having children on United States soil so that their child obtains United States citizenship upon birth. In other words, this policy will promote the legal means necessary in order come into the United States. Additionally, this policy will help to keep immigrant families together so that the parents and newborn do not become split up between two different countries after birth. If the child is born in the United States to illegal immigrant parents, the family will have 6 months or whenever the baby is healthy to be deported back to the country where they are originally from. Another aspect of the jus soli policy is that if either parents are serving in the military service abroad, their child will automatically gain United States citizenship because they are stationed on a United States military base. In addition, anyone who lives on a United States ruled island like Guam and Puerto will receive a United States citizenship upon birth. If an illegal immigrant enlists in the United States military, their child will be born with United States citizenship as long as the partner gives birth to the child on United States soil because if they are serving for our country, it’s only fair if they’re children are granted citizenship to the country they are fighting for. This reflects a multicultural citizenship model because it encourages immigrants to come into the United States legally and have kids who will be born with a United States citizenship by jus soli. These conditions of jus soli will help to promote multicultural citizenship for all Americans.
Jus sanguinis is recognized by blood birth to any United States citizen no matter where they are throughout the world. At least one of the parents has to be a United States citizen for their child to get citizenship in the United States. In addition, when the child turns 18 he or she has up until they are 21 to decide if they want to keep their United States citizenship but in effect, they must move to the United States within 2 years of their final decision. In addition, they must live in the United States for a year as part of the process of being loyal to the United States and learning American values, so that they can promote the American culture, domestic and abroad. After the person has lived in the United States for one year, they are able to move as they please with their United States citizenship. If they decide to turn down their United States citizenship, they will keep the citizenship of the country they are currently living in. This plan helps to filter out the citizens abroad who take pride in their American citizenship and people who just have it because they were given citizenship through jus sanguinis at birth. My form of jus sanguinis promotes the multicultural model of citizenship because it grants anyone born abroad a United States citizenship, as long as one of the parents is a United States citizen. Therefore, jus sanguinis encourages anyone who is living abroad to come to the United States because anyone can be an American, no matter their background, race, or religious beliefs.
Naturalization is available in the multicultural model of citizenship in the United States. The specific requirements to naturalize into the United States include first obtaining either a visa or green card and then taking a citizenship test after 5 years of permanent residence in the United States. Specifically, the applicant must stay in the United States for 4 out of the 5 years to qualify to take the citizenship test. However, if the applicant is arrested at any time, they are required to withdraw from the citizenship process and must report back to the original country they emigrated from. After a year back in their country of origin, they will have the ability to enter back into the United States with a visa. The citizenship test includes 20 questions that examine the history, government, oath, and values of the United States. In order to pass the exam, the applicant must get 12 out of the 20 questions correct. If the applicant passes the exam, they must pledge an oath to the United States of America and make it their priority citizenship over the country that they originally immigrated from. Once they pledge to the United States of America, they are officially United States citizens’. If the newly accepted United States citizens would like to attend a ceremony, they can but they are not required to attend. Naturalization is supported in the United States because it promotes the multicultural form of citizenship. It gives immigrants a chance to come to America in search of the American dream and the chance for them to experience all of the freedoms that our country has to offer. In addition, naturalization is the foundation of the United States because millions of people left their birth countries in search of a better life and the ability to have freedoms that they weren’t able to posses back in their country of origin. The United States always welcomed immigrants, from when America was first founded in 1776, until now. Therefore, naturalization is the center piece of the multicultural model of citizenship in the United States.
Dual citizenship is offered in the United States because it supports a multicultural form of citizenship. Dual citizenship is granted in the United States under the following circumstances. A citizen of the United States must put his or her United States citizenship above the other citizenship they already have or the citizenship they are applying for abroad. If a person has committed crimes in either the United States or the other country they have citizenship in, they are not allowed to obtain a dual citizenship as a policy of the United States dual citizenship program. In addition, they must serve a one-year probation until they can apply for a dual citizenship again. This policy not only protects the United States but the other country as well. If a United States citizen is applying for a dual citizenship abroad and that country requires them to put their citizenship over the United States, the applicant will have to make the decision to either halt the process and remain a United States citizen or accept the citizenship of the other country and terminate their United States citizenship. Therefore, accepting dual citizenship supports the multicultural model of citizenship in the United States.
The new citizenship policies I have implemented encourage a multicultural form of citizenship in the United States. For example, I have created policies to promote multicultural citizenship in the aspects of jus soli, jus sanguinis, naturalization, and dual citizenship. All of the policies create a fair and equal playing field for everyone trying to attain citizenship in the United States.
Works Cited
Castles S., Miller M.J. (1998) New Ethnic Minorities and Society. In The Age of Migration. Palgrave, London