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of Allegiance. (In some cases, the interviewing officer will give you the oath on the spot, and you’ll become a naturalized citizen then and there, but most often you’ll return another day for a ceremony.)

      The Oath of Allegiance plays an important part in becoming a U.S. citizen, and it carries serious implications. The oath serves as your solemn promise to the government of the United States that you

       Give up loyalty to other countriesYou may still have feelings of respect and admiration for your former homeland. You may even have family and friends still living there. However, in order to take the oath, your government loyalty must be to the United States and only to the United States.

       Defend the Constitution and laws of the United StatesYou promise to protect the Constitution and all laws from all enemies, from other countries, or from inside the United States.

       Obey the laws of the United StatesYou promise to obey the Constitution, follow the rule of law, and support human rights.Be loyal to the United StatesYou promise that your allegiance is to the United States only.

       Serve in the U.S. military (if needed)You promise to use a weapon as a member of the U.S. military to protect the country's safety and security (if the U.S. government asks you to do so).

       Serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)You promise to do other non-military work that is important to the country's safety and security (if the U.S. government asks you to do so).

       Promise to keep the Oath of AllegianceYou solemnly and freely promise to exercise rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.

      Taking the Oath of Allegiance is also known as Attachment to the Constitution. In this case, the word attachment means loyalty or allegiance.

Receiving your Certificate of Naturalization

      After you’ve taken the Oath of Allegiance, you’ll be presented with your Certificate of Naturalization. Congratulations! You are now officially a citizen of the United States of America, and you can use your certificate to prove it. This legal document is quite ornate in appearance, resembling a diploma — one personalized with your photograph.

      

Applying for a passport as soon as you receive your Certificate of Naturalization is a good idea. A passport can also serve as proof of your citizenship, and it’s much easier to carry than the certificate itself. If you ever lose your certificate, getting a replacement can sometimes take up to a year. If the certificate serves as your only proof of citizenship, a year can feel like a mighty long time — especially if you want to travel. You can usually pick up a passport application at your swearing-in ceremony. If not, your local post office has passport applications, or you can download a DS-11 Passport Application from https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11.PDF.

      If it is not already in your seat at the ceremony, people from your county Registrar of Voters will hand you a voter’s registration card on your way out. Don't wait another minute — register to vote and exercise your right to participate in democracy!

      You should also update your record with the Social Security Administration by applying for a new Social Security Card: www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf. Proudly check the “U.S. Citizen” box on Line 5 Citizenship.

      If you have a U.S. driver’s license or state-issued identification card (ID), take this opportunity to update your record with the agency that issues driver’s licenses in your state. You may update your ID information and photo or apply for a REAL ID.

Now that you are a citizen, share this gift with others. Volunteer at your local adult school or community center and help people prepare for their citizenship interview. Find volunteer opportunities at www.volunteer.gov/s/.

      

MODIFYING THE OATH

      We take freedom of religion seriously in the United States, which is why the USCIS allows the oath to be modified, or changed, in some cases, by leaving out these phrases:

       “… that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law”: In order for these words to be left out of the oath, you must provide evidence that your objection to fighting for the United States is based on your religious beliefs and training.

       “… that I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required by law”: If you can provide enough evidence that your religious training and beliefs completely prohibit you from serving in the armed forces in any capacity, the USCIS will also leave out this portion of the oath.

       “… so help me God”: If your religious beliefs keep you from using the phrase so help me God, the USCIS will omit the words.

       “… on oath”: If you are unable to truthfully swear using the words on oath, the USCIS will substitute the phrase with solemnly affirm.

      If you think you qualify to take a modified oath, you’ll need to write the USCIS a letter explaining why and send it along with your Application for Naturalization. Be aware that the USCIS will probably ask you to provide a letter from your religious institution explaining its beliefs and declaring that you are a member in good standing.

      If you have a physical or mental disability that prevents you from communicating your understanding of the oath’s meaning, the USCIS will probably excuse you from this requirement.

Chapter 2

      Meeting the Officials Who Can Help You on Your Quest

      IN THIS CHAPTER

      

Identifying the goals of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

      

Introducing the Big Three: The DHS, the Department of State, and the Department of Labor

      

Recognizing other agencies that affect immigration

      Before you start your journey on the path to immigration, knowing whom you’re dealing with is helpful. This chapter introduces you to the government agencies you may encounter and work with during the immigration and naturalization processes. Knowing the goals and missions of these government agencies can help you identify the ways they can impact you, as someone seeking lawful permanent residence or citizenship, and how to deal with them most effectively.

Understanding the Goals of the U.S. Immigration System

In 2002, Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) was incorporated into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and INS functions were delegated to three separate agencies: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). USCIS performs many of the duties of the former INS, focusing on immigration cases, including applications for work visas, asylum, and naturalization. (See the sidebar “A day in the life of USCIS” later in this chapter.)

      On Presidents’ Day, 2018, USCIS updated its mission statement to reflect national security concerns and express the agency’s commitment to core values of integrity,

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