Taking the ‘Oath of Allegiance’

Jeff Walker
Published: August 5, 2008

“A peer of kings.” That was how President Calvin Coolidge described being a citizen of the United States.

The number of naturalized citizens has grown in recent decades, just as the debate over legal or illegal status of immigrants has moved to the forefront.

According to a New York Times article, documented immigrants have opted to become American citizens in re-cord numbers. Reporting on a Pew Hispanic Center study published in 2007, the Times wrote, “The number of naturalized citizens in the United States population in 2005 was 12.8 million, a record high.”

More immigrants are coming to the United States, and there are more of them adopting American citizenship, ac-cording to the study.

The Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services outlines the requirements to become a U.S. citizen on its Web site.

Aside from continuous residency, among the requirements for a new citizen is the ability to read, write and speak English. They must also have “a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government” and display “good moral character.”

When naturalized citizens complete their journey to become an American, they take the “Oath of Allegiance for Naturalized Citizens.” The oath outlines the responsibilities and rights of a citizen of this country. The citizens-elect gather in a public place and recite the oath as part of a naturalization ceremony.

President George W. Bush came to Charlottesville on July 4 to swear in a new group of citizens. The ceremony at Monticello saw 72 new citizens honored by the president during the 46th annual Independence Day and Naturalization Ceremony.

The taking of the Oath of Allegiance is one of the highlights of the yearly ceremony. Those of us who were born here would do well to look at this oath. We did not have to take an oath by the virtue of being born here. The beginning part about renouncing foreign allegiances may not fit someone born in Virginia to native parents, but the rest is worth taking the time to read.

The oath continues:

“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.”

I’d take that oath. Wouldn’t you?

The government publication “A Guide to Naturalization” makes additional points about citizenship that expand on the principles from the oath.

“Citizens have a responsibility to participate in the political process by registering and voting in elections. Serving on a jury is another responsibility of citizenship,” the guide says.

It is also sobering to read that the citizens-elect are reminded about tolerance. 

“America becomes stronger when all of its citizens respect the different opinions, cultures, ethnic groups and religions found in this country. Tolerance for differences is also a responsibility of citizenship.”

The introduction in “A Guide to Naturalization” concludes with the hope that the naturalized citizen will “honor and respect the freedoms and opportunities citizenship gives.”

The individual who chooses to become a citizen is reminded that participating in the community is truly the way to become an American.

Using our free will to demonstrate a tolerance for differences of opinion and culture while respecting and defending the Constitution is a tall order. But it is one worth preserving and fighting for, whether we were born here or adopted the United States as our home.

Jeff Walker is an independent columnist who lives in Culpeper. He appears Wednesdays in the Star-Exponent. E-mail