On Wednesday, September 17th, which is known as Constitution Day in the United States, President Trump congratulated new citizens who took their oath on that day and urged them to “defend, honor, and cherish” the Constitution of the United States.
“America is now your homeland, and you are a part of this country under the protection of God,” the President wrote. “You have pledged your loyalty to America, and in return, America will provide you with limitless freedom and opportunities.”
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) distributed this letter to all new naturalized citizens at citizenship ceremonies held across the country on Wednesday.
According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, this effort is part of the agency’s ongoing work to restore reason and common sense to the immigration system. The Trump administration is determined not to allow the immigration system to be abused and to prevent illegal immigrants, criminals, and others who threaten American peace and security from entering the country.
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, stated in a press release that after years of abuse, the U.S. immigration system is now being restored to a state of reason.
“American citizenship is a sacred trust that should never be taken lightly. Becoming a citizen of the United States means committing to uphold our values, culture, and Constitution,” she said. “We are doing everything in our power to ensure that those obtaining U.S. citizenship fulfill their obligations to the new nation.”
The Trump administration has reformed the naturalization process. Foreign nationals applying for immigration benefits (including citizenship) will now undergo scrutiny, which includes assessing whether they have engaged in anti-American activities, supported terrorism, or committed other disqualifying behaviors.
The new review process also includes a reinstatement of community visits to potential new citizens, evaluating if applicants have made positive contributions to the community, determining their moral character, and verifying that they have never illegally registered to vote or attempted to vote illegally in U.S. elections.
Furthermore, USCIS has comprehensively revamped the citizenship exam, increasing its difficulty level to ensure that those truly committed to the American way of life can become citizens.