> From that viewpoint are immigrants the only "true" citizens of a nation because they actively choose to be a part of it? The criteria for citizenship have va

> From that viewpoint are immigrants the only "true" citizens of a nation because they actively choose to be a part of it? The criteria for citizenship have varied a lot over time, and usually have to do with the economic or identity system of the country. For example , when the US was an agrarian society, African slaves could not be citizens, because doing so would undermine the economic system underpinned by slavery. Today, some middle eastern countries have religious requirements for immigrants to become citizens. The modern concept of a citizen (vs a subject) is itself only a few hundred years old. So I'm not sure if there is a "true" definition of a citizen, in any morally defensible way.