
The United States Constitution provides protections to all persons on American soil, not just its citizens. This includes immigrants, asylum seekers, undocumented workers and visitors. The Constitution's human rights protections include the right to present requests to the government without being punished or retaliated against, the right to assemble peacefully to petition the government for relief without fear of retaliation, and the right to not be subjected to unreasonable search of oneself or one's property. However, non-citizens do not share all the rights of citizens under the U.S. Constitution. For example, only citizens have the right to vote in presidential elections.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is protected by the US Constitution? | All persons on US soil |
| Rights afforded to all persons on US soil | To present requests to the government without being punished or retaliated against; to assemble peacefully to petition the government for relief of wrong or injury without fear of retaliation; to not be subjected to unreasonable search of oneself or one's property and/or seizure of one's property without due process; to not allow soldiers/military in one's home; to not be charged with a serious crime unless accused (indicted) by a grand jury |
| Rights afforded only to citizens | Voting in presidential elections |
| Rights afforded to non-citizens on foreign territory | The basic right of habeas corpus to challenge illegal detentions |
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What You'll Learn
- The Fifth Amendment protects everyone on US soil
- The Constitution protects non-citizens on foreign territory
- Asylum seekers and undocumented workers are protected by the Constitution
- The right to petition the government without fear of retaliation
- The right to not be subjected to unreasonable search or seizure of property

The Fifth Amendment protects everyone on US soil
The Constitution's human rights protections include the right to present requests to the government without being punished or retaliated against, the right to assemble peacefully to petition the government for relief without fear of retaliation, the right to not be subjected to an unreasonable search of oneself or one's property and/or seizure of one's property without due process, the right to not allow soldiers or the military into one's home, and the right to not be charged with a serious crime unless accused by a grand jury.
Although there are some rights only citizens have, such as voting in presidential elections, most other rights provided by the Constitution are for all people. In a 2008 US Supreme Court decision, Boumediene v. Bush, it was held that the basic right of habeas corpus to challenge illegal detentions extends even to non-citizens on foreign territory.
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The Constitution protects non-citizens on foreign territory
The United States Constitution protects all persons on American soil, not just its citizens. This includes immigrants, asylum seekers, undocumented workers and visitors.
The Fifth Amendment provisions state that "no person" on US land can be subjected to certain treatments, such as unreasonable searches of oneself or one's property, and/or seizure of one's property without due process.
In a 2008 US Supreme Court decision, Boumediene v. Bush, it was held that the basic right of habeas corpus to challenge illegal detentions extends even to non-citizens on foreign territory.
However, non-citizens do not share all the rights of citizens under the US Constitution. For example, only citizens have the right to vote in presidential elections.
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Asylum seekers and undocumented workers are protected by the Constitution
The Fifth Amendment states that 'no person' on US soil shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law. The Constitution also protects the right to present requests to the government without being punished or retaliated against, and the right to assemble peacefully to petition the government for relief without fear of retaliation. Asylum seekers and undocumented workers have the right to not be subjected to an unreasonable search of oneself or one's property, and/or seizure of one's property without due process. They also have the right to not allow soldiers or military in one's home, and the right to not be charged with a serious crime unless accused (indicted) by a grand jury.
Although there are some rights only citizens have, such as voting in presidential elections, most other rights provided by the Constitution are for all people.
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The right to petition the government without fear of retaliation
The United States Constitution provides the same protections to all persons on American soil, not just its citizens. This includes the right to petition the government without fear of retaliation. This right is afforded to all persons on US soil, including immigrants, asylum seekers, undocumented workers and visitors.
The Constitution's Fifth Amendment provisions state that "no person" shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. This means that anyone on US soil has the right to present requests to the government without being punished or retaliated against.
The right to petition the government is a fundamental aspect of a democratic society. It allows individuals to express their grievances, seek relief from wrongs or injuries, and participate in the political process. This right is particularly important for those who may not have a voice in other arenas, such as immigrants or asylum seekers.
While the Constitution guarantees this right to all persons on US soil, it is important to note that there may be challenges in assuring these rights, especially for those who are not citizens. Non-citizens do not share all the rights of citizens under the US Constitution, and there may be instances where their ability to petition the government is limited or where they face retaliation despite the protections afforded by the Constitution.
In conclusion, the right to petition the government without fear of retaliation is a fundamental human right that is protected by the US Constitution for all persons on American soil. This right is essential for a functioning democracy and ensures that individuals can seek redress and participate in the political process without fear of reprisal.
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The right to not be subjected to unreasonable search or seizure of property
The United States Constitution provides the same protections to all persons on American soil, not just its citizens. This includes the right to not be subjected to unreasonable search or seizure of property.
The Fifth Amendment states that "no person" on US soil shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. This means that anyone in the US, regardless of citizenship, has the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures of their property.
The right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures is a fundamental human right that is recognised by the US Constitution. This right protects individuals from arbitrary or unjustified intrusions by the government or law enforcement into their personal space, belongings, or property. It also safeguards against the unlawful taking or confiscation of an individual's property without just cause or legal process.
It is important to note that while the Constitution provides these protections, assuring those rights can be challenging, especially for non-citizens. In some cases, the US government has been accused of violating the rights of non-citizens, such as through discriminatory treatment or illegal detentions. However, the Constitution's protections have been upheld by the US Supreme Court in cases involving non-citizens on foreign territory, such as in Boumediene v. Bush, which affirmed the right of habeas corpus for non-citizens held at Guantanamo Bay.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the US Constitution only protects people on US soil.
Yes, the US Constitution protects all people on US soil, not just citizens.
The right to vote in presidential elections is one example of a right only afforded to US citizens.
The right to present requests to the government without being punished or retaliated against, and the right to assemble peacefully to petition the government for relief of wrong or injury without fear of retaliation.
Assuring those rights can be tricky, but there are legal avenues to pursue. For example, in 2008, the US Supreme Court held that the basic right of habeas corpus to challenge illegal detentions extends even to non-citizens on foreign territory.
























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