U.S. Citizen: Rights, Privileges and Responsibilities

The following is complete listing of rights, privileges, and responsibilities of U.S. citizen. In some states, some rights and privileges may have some restrictions for some categories of citizens. Most responsibilities are mandatory, some responsibilities (such as voting) are voluntary. Under certain circumstances, there are exceptions. The listing of rights and privileges of U.S. citizen is longer than the listing of rights and privileges of U.S. permanent resident. This listing of responsibilities of U.S. citizen is shorter than the listing of responsibilities of U.S. permanent resident.

1. Rights and Privileges.

To be protected by all of the laws of the U.S., the laws of person’s state of residence and local jurisdictions.

To be employed in the U.S. at any legal work of person’s qualification and choosing.

To join the U.S. Armed Forces.

To vote in federal elections, state and local elections. There are some state restrictions on voting by persons convicted of felonies.

To be elected in federal and state elections. There are federal restrictions. A naturalized person is prohibited from running for President and Vice President of the United States.

To purchase a firearm. There are some state restrictions.

To own a firearm. There are some state restrictions.

To own property in the U.S..

To get public benefits (Public Assistance, Medicaid, Food Stamps, WIC, Supplemental Security Income – SSI, and certain other benefits).

To attend public school and college.

To apply for a driver’s license in a state or territory.

To live permanently in the U.S..

To leave and return to the U.S..

To leave the U.S. and remain outside the U.S. any period of time.

To move to another country to live there permanently.

To be represented and protected abroad by the United States (through U.S. embassies and consulates).

To have a proof of citizenship (certificate of birth, certificate of citizenship, certificate of naturalization) with no expiration date.

To petition for husband or wife to become a U.S. permanent resident.

To petition for unmarried children under 21 to become U.S. permanent residents.

To petition for unmarried sons and daughters age 21 or older to become U.S. permanent residents.

To petition for parents to become U.S. permanent residents.

To petition for married sons and daughters to become U.S. permanent residents.

To petition for brothers and sisters to become U.S. permanent residents.

2. Responsibilities.

To obey all federal, state, and local laws of the U.S.

To defend the U.S. Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic.

Responsibility not to allegiance to any foreign country.

To renunciate allegiance to any foreign country to which the U.S. citizen has had previous allegiances to.

To serve in the U.S. Armed Forces when required by law (either combat or non-combat).

To perform civilian duties of national importance when required by law.

To support the democratic form of government and not to attempt to change the government through illegal means.

To register with the Selective Service of U.S. Armed Forces (for a male between ages 18 and 26).

To serve as a witness in court (if subpoenaed or summoned).

To respond to summons to serve as a juror in court.

To serve as a juror in court (if selected).

To vote in federal, state, and local elections (voluntary responsibility). There are state exceptions. For example, in most states there are restrictions on voting by persons convicted of felonies.

To report the income, file the income tax returns, and pay U.S. federal, state, and local income taxes, from all sources worldwide. There are exceptions. For example, under certain circumstances, U.S. citizen living abroad may be able to eliminate his/her U.S. federal income tax.

To travel into and out of the U.S. on U.S. passport, regardless of any other nationality U.S. citizen may possess.

To show U.S. passport or other required documentary evidence of U.S. citizenship to an immigration officer at the port of entry.

Sources:

Laws: The United States Constitution, U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Internal Revenue Code (IRC)

Regulations: Code of Federal Regulations, Title 8 (8 CFR)

Subjects: U.S. Permanent Residence: Family Based Categories, Grounds of Inadmissibility