Why some naturalized US citizens swear a different Oath of Allegiance
The White House enacted new eligibility guidelines Tuesday for immigrants who wish to naturalize, but who object to military service.
The clarifications apply to the Oath of Allegiance, which immigrants must take to become naturalized citizens and which includes clauses about being willing to complete military service if called to do so.
Those who object on religious or moral grounds may be exempt from reciting these clauses if they meet the eligibility standards . The updates come during an effort to on the part of President Barack Obama鈥檚 administration.
The Oath of Allegiance asks citizens-to-be to promise to 鈥渂ear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law鈥� and to 鈥減erform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law.鈥� Just as provisions exist for US-born citizens who qualify as 鈥渃onscientious objectors鈥� to exempt themselves from military service, similar allowances are made for naturalized citizens.
The guidelines make three stipulations: candidates for citizenship can request exemption 鈥渂ased on religious training and belief, or conscientious objection arising from a deeply held moral or ethical code,鈥� but are 鈥渘ot required to belong to a specific church or religion, follow a particular theology or belief, or to have had religious training in order to qualify.鈥� If someone does belong to a religion, evidence of affiliation may be submitted.
In April, the Task Force on New Americans submitted a 聽to Obama that聽identified ways to weave naturalized Americans into their communities, such as encouraging new Americans to take part in volunteer work.
Cecilia Mu帽oz, director of the White House鈥檚 Domestic Policy Council, that the US hopes to naturalize as many as possible of the more than 41 million foreign-born residents in the United States.
鈥淲hat we鈥檙e really talking about are the economics, the linguistics, the civic integration of a large proportion of the population, who are a significant portion of our workforce,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here are clear benefits and responsibilities associated with citizenship and ... we鈥檙e hopeful that immigrants will take every step in the integration process and become Americans.鈥�
According to the聽United States Citizenship and Immigration Services聽(USCIS), the clauses in the Oath of Allegiance referring to military service were several years after the Supreme Court decided that the promise to bear arms was not implied in the overall promise to 鈥渟upport and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic.鈥�
Modifications also exist for those whose religions proscribe taking oaths, as well as for the non-religious: instead of saying 鈥淚 hereby declare, on oath,鈥� naturalization candidates can choose to say 鈥淚 solemnly affirm,鈥� and the last phrase of the speech, 鈥渟o help me God,鈥� can be omitted upon request.
Every year, the White House conducts special naturalization ceremonies on and around the fourth of July. This past year, more than 4,000 people were naturalized between July 1 and July 4.
