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Why Do I Have to Take a Loyalty Oath to Become a U.S. Citizen?
Contributor: Van T. Doan
You have submitted an application for naturalization, and successfully completed your interview with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), including an English test and a civics test. You've been found to be of good moral character, and to have maintained continuous residence and physical presence in the United States.
Now comes the part you've been waiting for: your naturalization ceremony, during which you will take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States (in some cases you may be able to do this on the same day as your USCIS interview). You are not a U.S. citizen until you have taken this oath.
What is the Oath of Allegiance?
The Oath of Allegiance reads as follows:
I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
Why is it necessary to take an oath at all? It's your public declaration of a commitment to becoming a United States citizen, with all the rights and responsibilities that entails. Much as marriage vows require "forsaking all others," when becoming a citizen of this country, you renounce allegiance to any others.
What If I Don't Agree with Everything in the Oath?
What if you are an atheist, and are uncomfortable using the phrase, 'so help me God?" Federal statute (8 CFR 337.1) makes clear that that phrase is optional. The phrase "on oath" in the first line may be changed to "and solemnly affirm" for those individuals who do not believe in swearing an oath.
There are also options if your religious or moral convictions prevent you from agreeing to take up a weapon on behalf of the United States. If you are not willing or able to bear arms or participate in noncombative military service, you may request to omit those clauses from the oath. However, the omission of this portion of the oath cannot simply be based on personal preference. You must request exemption "based on religious training and belief, or conscientious objection arising from a deeply held moral or ethical code."
You are not required to belong to a specific religion or church or to have had religious training in any particular tradition or theology. However, if you do belong to a religion, you can submit evidence of your affiliation in support of your request.
If you have questions about the Oath of Allegiance requirement for U.S. citizenship, or other questions about the naturalization process, please contact Howard County, MD immigration lawyer Van T. Doan. We look forward to working with you.
Categories: Immigration Law