American Identities and Constitutional Values
Starter 3 [How to Use Starters]

The Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America

"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 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."

Official text of naturalization oath required under federal law to be taken by new citizens of the United States. Prescribed under federal law since 1929.

Focus Questions

• What do you think is the most important part of the Oath? Why?
  
  
• Why do you think the Oath begins with an oath of renunciation of foreign alliance?
  
  
• Do you think prospective American citizens should be required to declare an oath of allegiance to the United States? Why or why not?
  
  
• Some have argued that all American citizens, not just prospective ones, should take the Oath of Allegiance? Do you agree? Why or why not?

Suggested Resources
Suggested resources are not found within the Dialogue on Freedom site; clicking on the following links will launch a new browser window.

History and Language of the U.S. Oath of Allegiance
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) web page on the history of the oath of allegiance to the United States, focusing on the standardization of the words of the oath under federal law.

Naturalization Requirements for U.S. Citizenship
Details general requirements to become a citizen of the United States, including residency, demonstration of moral character, attachment to the Constitution, knowledge of the English language, knowledge of U.S. history and government, and taking the Oath of Allegiance. INS web page.

Additional Resources
Suggested readings for this topic

Starters: 1 2 3 4

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Note: The views expressed here have not been approved by the House of Delegates or the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association, and accordingly, should not be construed as representing the policy of the American Bar Association.