By Jonathan Lowe | KPHO/KTVK
azfamily.com 3TV | Phoenix Breaking News, Weather, Sport
People who want to be part of this country no longer have to promise to “fight” for it. New U.S. citizens always take a sworn oath to “bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law.” But as of this week, they don’t have to say that anymore.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is actually seeking public feedback on this so-called modification to a vital part of the naturalization process – The United States Oath of Allegiance, which new citizens have been reciting since 1778.
Way back in 1906, lawmakers added this promise to that oath of allegiance: “A candidate for citizenship must declare they will bear arms on behalf of the United States and that they will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces if required by law.”
“There are certain religious beliefs where people are strictly committed to non-violence,” explained Court Rich, an attorney with Scottsdale-based Rose Law Group.
