As of Tuesday, immigrant candidates for citizenship who cite religious or conscientious objections are no longer required to declare that they will fight on behalf of the United States while reciting the Oath of Allegiance during the naturalization process.
Candidates for citizenship are normally required to pledge that they will "bear arms on behalf of the United States" and "perform noncombatant services in the Armed Forces of the United States."
But the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced Tuesday that immigrant candidates who declare religious or conscientious objections based on a deeply held moral or ethical code may omit these two phrases from their oath.
Objecting candidates are not required to belong to a specific church or religion, follow any particular belief or theology, or have had prior religious training to qualify, USCIS said, the Washington Examiner reported.
USCIS explained that a candidate:
- May be eligible for modifications based on religious training and belief, or conscientious objection arising from a deeply held moral or ethical code.
- Is not required to belong to a specific church or religion, follow a particular theology or belief, or to have had religious training in order to qualify.
- May submit, but is not required to provide, an attestation from a religious or other type of organization, as well as other evidence to establish eligibility.
USCIS said it is accepting feedback on the new guidance through Aug. 4, 2015.
The current naturalization oath is as follows:
"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."
