TO PRESCRIBE THE OATH OF RENUNCIATION AND ALLEGIANCE FOR PURPOSES OF THE BRARY OF CONCRESS AUG 119.2004 COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION ON H.R. 3191 APRIL 1, 2004 Serial No. 81 Printed for the use of the Committee on the Judiciary Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.house.gov/judiciary 92-832 PDF U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office KF 27 2004 f CONTENTS The Honorable John N. Hostettler, a Representative in Congress From the State of Indiana, and Chairman, Subcommittee on Immigration, Border The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee, a Representative in Congress From the State of Texas, and Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Immigration, Bor- TO PRESCRIBE THE OATH OF RENUNCIATION AND ALLEGIANCE FOR PURPOSES OF THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2004 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The Subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:06 a.m., in Room 2141, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. John N. Hostettler (Chair of the Subcommittee) presiding. Mr. HOSTETTLER. Good morning. Today's hearing is on H.R. 3191, legislation introduced by our colleague, Jim Ryun, to memorialize in the Immigration and Nationality Act the current language of the Oath of Renunciation and Allegiance. This solemn oath, taken by applicants for naturalization, is the final step in becoming a U.S. citizen. Recent proposals to modify the oath have generated a large measure of controversy and have refocused attention on the oath's meaning and on the proper forum to consider changes. A naturalization ceremony is one of the most stirring and meaningful occasions in the public life of our nation, both for the new citizens themselves and for those privileged enough to witness the event. In reciting the oath, naturalizing citizens are becoming true Americans, pledging their fidelity and their hearts to a new nation. Statutorily, the oath is required to embody five principles. The reciter promises to, one, support the Constitution of United States; two, renounce allegiance to any foreign "prince, potentate, state or sovereignty;" three, support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; four, bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and, five, bear arms on behalf of the United States when necessary unless alternate national service is permitted. The language of the present oath possesses a weight and majesty that helps focus one's mind on the implications of its recitation. Those who would like to alter it bear a heavy burden of proof. I do understand the motivation of those who feel that the language needs to be modernized; in fact, George Gekas, the former Chairman of this Subcommittee, strongly felt that revisions were in order. The U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform worried whether the oath, with its use of archaic language such as "potentate" and |