How has the definition of citizenship changed throughout history?
In the early stages of the United States, citizens did not have a clearly defined role in society as the government was a work in progress. Citizenship has evolved over time as U.S. citizens of today have different responsibilities and rights than U.S. citizens of the past. For instance, U.S. citizens of the past who were of African descent did not have the right to voice their opinion in government, but all U.S. citizens of today, regardless of race, have the right to voice their opinion. To add, U.S. citizens of the past had more freedoms and rights compared to now since the government was not finalized. However, U.S. citizens of today have more structure and organization, which allows them to successful in their endeavors. Who has been excluded and gradually included as citizens? Mexicans were excluded from citizenship until 1848, where 80,000 Mexican residents were granted citizenship following the Mexican-American war. African Americans were excluded from citizenship until the fourteenth amendment was passed, giving citizenship to all African Americans in 1868. Not well liked in the government, Native Americans were not considered to be citizenship until 1924. Before the 1940s, Asians were not able to become citizens; however, the 1940s banned all laws that prohibited Asians from becoming citizens. Early on Mexicans, African Americans, Native Americans, and Asians were excluded as citizens before the United States' government changed its mind. Why is the idea of citizenship still controversial topic today? As a result of a plethora opinions for and against, immigration has become a controversial topic, especially after President Barack Obama's new legislation. On Obama's new legislation, "certain undocumented immigrations--including those who are U.S. citizens or legal residents-- will have the opportunity to receive work documents" ("Is Obama's Immigration Executive Order Legal?"). With differing opinions on Obama's new immigration, policy citizenship has once again become a controversial issues in America. |
Bitcoin Investor who renounced US citizenship now can't get back in
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Bitcoin investor, Roger Ver (pictured above), who renounced his citizenship into the United States was denied entrance into the United States to attend a convention in the Miami. On his third attempt to re-enter the United States, Ver was still denied entrance since it was proven he did not have enough ties outside of the United States. In fact, an immigration lawyer stated Ver was denied entrance under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which presumes every applicant plans to reside in America. However, this is not the case as Ver does not wish to permanent resides in the United States. Since February 2014, Ver has been a citizen of the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts through its Citizenship by Investment program.
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Further Reading:
"Is Obama's Immigration Executive Order Legal?" US News. U.S.News & World Report, n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2015.
<http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/is-obamas-immigration-executive-order-legal>
"Is Obama's Immigration Executive Order Legal?" US News. U.S.News & World Report, n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2015.
<http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/is-obamas-immigration-executive-order-legal>