Oath of citizenship (United States)
Encyclopedia
The United States Oath of Allegiance (officially referred to as the "Oath of Allegiance," 8 C.F.R. Part 337 (2008)) is an oath
that must be taken by all immigrants who wish to become United States citizens. The first officially recorded Oaths of Allegiance were made on May 30, 1778 at Valley Forge
, during the Revolutionary War.
The current oath is as follows:
In some cases, the USCIS allows the oath to be taken without the clauses regarding the bearing of arms and performance of noncombatant military service.
provides that the phrase "so help me God" is optional and that the words ‘on oath’ can be substituted with ‘and solemnly affirm’. Also, if the prospective citizen can prove such commitments are in violation with his or her religion
, the lines "that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law; that I will perform non-combatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by law" are sometimes omitted.
The current exact text of the Oath of Citizenship is established only in the form of an administrative regulation promulgated by the executive branch. However, under the Administrative Procedure Act
, USCIS could theoretically change the text of the oath at any time, so long as the new text reasonably meets the "five principles" mandated by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1953. These principles are:
There has been some controversy about the wording of the oath, parts of which are based on the British Oath of Supremacy
which was written in the 16th Century. As a result, some have suggested much of the language is antiquated and confusing. In the fall of 2003 the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services planned to change the oath of citizenship in time for Citizenship Day (September 17). The proposed oath was as followed:
The introduction of the new oath was scrapped by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims on April 1, 2004.
Oath
An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...
that must be taken by all immigrants who wish to become United States citizens. The first officially recorded Oaths of Allegiance were made on May 30, 1778 at Valley Forge
Valley Forge
Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 in the American Revolutionary War.-History:...
, during the Revolutionary War.
The current oath is as follows:
In some cases, the USCIS allows the oath to be taken without the clauses regarding the bearing of arms and performance of noncombatant military service.
provides that the phrase "so help me God" is optional and that the words ‘on oath’ can be substituted with ‘and solemnly affirm’. Also, if the prospective citizen can prove such commitments are in violation with his or her religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
, the lines "that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law; that I will perform non-combatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by law" are sometimes omitted.
The current exact text of the Oath of Citizenship is established only in the form of an administrative regulation promulgated by the executive branch. However, under the Administrative Procedure Act
Administrative Procedure Act
The Administrative Procedure Act , , is the United States federal law that governs the way in which administrative agencies of the federal government of the United States may propose and establish regulations. The APA also sets up a process for the United States federal courts to directly review...
, USCIS could theoretically change the text of the oath at any time, so long as the new text reasonably meets the "five principles" mandated by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1953. These principles are:
- allegiance to the United States ConstitutionUnited States ConstitutionThe Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
, - renunciation of allegiance to any foreign country to which the immigrant has had previous allegiances
- defense of the Constitution against enemies "foreign and domestic"
- promise to serve in the United States Armed ForcesUnited States armed forcesThe United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
when required by law (either combat or non-combat) - promise to perform civilian duties of "national importance" when required by law
There has been some controversy about the wording of the oath, parts of which are based on the British Oath of Supremacy
Oath of Supremacy
The Oath of Supremacy, originally imposed by King Henry VIII of England through the Act of Supremacy 1534, but repealed by his daughter, Queen Mary I of England and reinstated under Mary's sister, Queen Elizabeth I of England under the Act of Supremacy 1559, provided for any person taking public or...
which was written in the 16th Century. As a result, some have suggested much of the language is antiquated and confusing. In the fall of 2003 the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services planned to change the oath of citizenship in time for Citizenship Day (September 17). The proposed oath was as followed:
The introduction of the new oath was scrapped by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims on April 1, 2004.