|
Editorial: The weight of an oath
Op-Ed · October 08, 2015
For several years, between 50 and 70 immigrants have come to the Hoover Complex in West Branch in September to raise their hands and promise to do a list of things that the United States deems the absolute minimum anyone should do if they wish to claim themselves a citizen.
Most of these requirements are tied to defending the United States, yet we imagine some readers may be surprised by these demands placed on new residents, especially in light of the fact that natural-born citizens are expected to do the same.
First, of course, is the promise to “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.” What that means is that if any country should clash with the United States, even their home country, that they will side with the United States.
This is not talking about personal opinion, this is talking about actions that directly impact America’s sovereignty or safety. This is why Edward Snowden left the country. While we can appreciate how he alerted U.S. citizens that their own government was spying on them without due process, he also took classified documents that could undermine our country’s safety and security.
The Oath of Allegiance also calls on new citizens to “support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic” and that they will “bear true allegiance to the same.” In this sense, the oath asks them to use the democratic system — voting, talking to legislators, etc. — rather than crime or anarchy, if they wish to change how our government works.
Naturalized citizens also must “bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law.” U.S. law carves out an exemption for those who claim religious training and beliefs prohibit them from carrying or using weapons. Also, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services understand that, when it comes down to it, it would be very difficult for a naturalized citizen to point a weapon at someone from their country of origin. And so the oath also includes two options: performing noncombatant service in the armed forces or performing work of national importance under civilian direction.
Further, the oath calls upon new citizens to recognize the enormous importance the United States places on freedom, or, more specifically, free will, in that no one should be asked to do something, or not do something, so long as that action or lack of action does not cause physical harm to someone else: “I take this obligation freely without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion, so help me God.”
Those last four words of the oath — “so help me God” — are quite interesting as well. America acknowledges a Higher Power, albeit a generic one, and insists new citizens recognize this as well. The oath is not only for allegiance to the United States, but a promise by the oath-taker to whomever or whatever guides that person’s conscience.
The U.S. Oath of Allegiance is written in such a way that it demands a promise that not only guides a person’s actions, but reaches into the depths of their mind and soul. This promise is meant to carry great weight upon each and every person who utters it. Yet at the same time, by cutting all ties to other nations, it is meant to free them as well as they become part of the greatest nation in the world.
We’re not blind to the fact that some of the oath-takers may very well only give lip service to this oath. But they are, nonetheless, bound by it. And this is why West Branch and its citizens should take pride in knowing that its city and the Hoover Complex have for years been a site for one of the many naturalization ceremonies across America.
Because all of the people who became new citizens — who dressed up, brought family, took pictures, etc. — understood, as some level, the importance of that oath and will remember that they did so right here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
