I'm just wondering because it seems like they should be aware of the laws.
Example:
I read this article about this teenager who was living like a normal 'american' teenager, going to concerts and stuff. Her father was in Pakistan and did not approve of her lifestyle, so he murdered her. This act could have been validated in Pakistan but not in the US.
I was also watching cops and this guy from Mexico beat up his wife because she wasn't keeping their house clean. He told the cops that keeping the house dirty was unacceptable in Mexico.
So do they know that laws here before they become citizens? I think they should not only have to know them, but also sign a copy of them.
2007-11-20 09:34:43 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
and I meant to say her dad was FROM Pakistan
2007-11-20 09:35:33 · update #1
it sure helps!
2007-11-20 09:37:21 · answer #1 · answered by J 1 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
U.S. citizenship requires passing a test that includes questions in American history, the constitution and some general legal concepts, but if you notice, most of the text in these examples refers to 'mankind' and 'all men created equal," and so on. The notion of including women in all this is relatively recent. Look, for instance, at what women had to go through to get the vote. (see suffragettes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suffragette#American_suffragists). They were beaten by large, ugly cops barricading their path to the legislature and loften imprisoned for ridiculous amounts of time. Some were painfully force-fed when they determined to go on a hunger strike - all that just for the privilege of casting a vote!
Then, of course, there is the utter lack of facilities and resources for women who are beaten. Consider the law, which understands 'crimes of passion' (usually homicide involving cuckold) and the spectacularly long sentences women receive after ending years and years of abuse. (see http://www.zerotolerance.ca/2_b_provocation_and_self_defence.htm)
So, no, at the end of the day, Mexican guy was not all that far off the mark.
2007-11-20 10:00:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The citizenship test contains basics about the "principals" of the US legal system, but not knowing the laws themselves.
Heck, all you have to do is read the answers to some of the questions here to see how little some people born here know about our laws.
Richard
2007-11-20 09:52:14 · answer #3 · answered by rickinnocal 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
During the naturalization process, candidates for citizenship have to take a test on US culture and history. It includes knowledge of the laws, but only very simple things.
2007-11-20 09:51:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, if it was mandatory for people to know the laws here almost everyone other then a few hardcore lawyers would be here illegally. In fact, we have so many laws that not even our own government is fully aware of all of them.
2007-11-20 09:38:32 · answer #5 · answered by Nicholas A 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, there are far too many laws for that. You are expected to know the basics of the Constitution & American History, in general, IIRC.
2007-11-20 09:38:37 · answer #6 · answered by B.Kevorkian 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not necessarily, but it sure helps to keep you from getting arrested.
2007-11-20 09:37:21 · answer #7 · answered by booman17 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like any other citizen, ignorance is no defense.
2007-11-20 09:37:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋