Citizen Luis - More Info

For many who have settled in this country, acquiring the rights to United States citizenship means the loss of the same in their homeland. It is often a difficult transition as their new world is so different from the one they left behind. But, still they come.

Take the naturalization test. [Please note: Clicking this link will open a new browser. Just close that window and you'll be back here.] The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has developed a set of questions on the history and government of the United States. Anyone going through the naturalization process must be prepared to answer questions like these at their citizenship hearing. Would you pass?

Here is the oath immigrants take to become a citizen. Would you take it?

"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."

After all of this they still come with hope to a country that has a lone statue standing in the New York harbor, beckoning:

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

-- Emma Lazurus
The New Colossus, 1883

FOR FURTHER READING:

INS Field Office located in Omaha serves the states of Nebraska and Iowa. The INS Omaha office is located at 3736 South 132nd Street. http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphic/formsfee/finger/asc5.htm

Check out the national web site for the Immigration and Naturalization Service. INS Web site: http://www.ins.usdoj.gov

Southeast Community College in Lincoln offers citizenship courses free of charge. They will instruct students on United States history, the Constitution, and information pertaining to the federal, state, and local governments.
Call 1-800-828-0072 or 402-437-2717 for more information http://www.college.sccm.cc.ne.us/7a.htm

Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America. Read the text of Oath of Allegiance.
http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/services/natz/oath.htm