Proposed Change in the Oath of Citizenship
The Department of Homeland Security is preparing to significantly rewrite
the oath of citizenship taken by new U.S. citizens. The new oath may
become effective on September 17, 2003.
The current language of the Oath of Allegiance:
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 a 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 law; that
I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United
States when required by law; that I will perform work of national importance
under civilian direction when required by law; and that I take this
obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion;
so help me God.
The new Oath of Allegiance, as of September
17, 2003:
Solemnly, freely, and without any mental reservation, I hereby renounce
under oath all allegiance to any foreign state. My fidelity and allegiance
from this day forward is to the United States of America. I pledge to
support, honor, and be loyal to the United States, its Constitution
and laws. Where and if lawfully required, I further commit myself to
defend the Constitution and laws of the United States against all enemies,
foreign and domestic, either by military, noncombatant, or civilian
service. This I do solemnly swear, so help me God.