9/27/2007

The USCIS released information that last week (Sep 17-21, 2007) more than 23,000 people would be sworn into U.S. citizens. It also states that annually approximately 700,000 have been sworn into citizens over the years.

USCIS TO WELCOME 23,000 NEW CITIZENS DURING CONSTITUTION WEEK

Ceremonies Will Honor and Celebrate American Citizenship

WASHINGTON – More than 23,000 men and women across the country have become United States citizens last week during naturalization ceremonies hosted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to commemorate Citizenship Day and Constitution Week.

“Citizenship Day honors the brave act of 39 patriots who, on September 17, 1787, signed the Constitution of the United States and charted the course of our nation that has continued for 220 years,” said USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez. “With the words, ‘We the People,’ they established the basic purposes of our government, forming a country that protects the rights and secures the liberties for all citizens - both native born and naturalized.”

As a nation of immigrants, the United States welcomes more than 700,000 new citizens during naturalization ceremonies each year. By raising their right hands and reciting the Oath of Allegiance, each new citizen pledges their commitment to the United States. They accept the responsibility to support and defend the Constitution and protect the rights and freedoms we enjoy today for future generations.

The 125 naturalization ceremonies scheduled for Constitution Week are made possible by the 15,000 USCIS employees who work to ensure the secure delivery of quality immigration services to every individual along their journey to United States Citizenship.

Naturalization Ceremony Locations (partial list)

September 16, 2007

• National Mall, Washington, DC

September 17, 2007

• Hartford Public Library, Hartford, Conn.

• Cantigny Park, Wheaton Ill.

• Cashman Theater, Las Vegas

• City University of New York

• National Constitution Center, Philadelphia

• Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego (all military)

September 20, 2007

• Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis

• Civic Center Park, Denver

September 21, 2007

• Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. 

• Albany, New York

September 24, 2007

• Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore (all military)

 

Oath of Allegiance for Naturalized Citizens

Oath of Allegiance

 

The oath of allegiance is:

 

"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 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."

 

In some cases, USCIS allows the oath to be taken without the clauses:

". . .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. . ."