Member-only story
As the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 coup attempt seeks to determine who knew and did what in the run-up to that fateful day, the process has gotten me thinking about citizenship.
Specifically, what it takes to become a citizen of the United States, and what is expected of someone seeking to become one — especially in contrast to what is expected of those born here.
For even as self-proclaimed patriots betrayed the national principles by seeking to overthrow a democratically decided election, hundreds of thousands would love to make this place their home, at least in part for the very democracy the insurrectionists would smash to pieces.
Ironically, the ones who try and come are condemned by these same “patriots” for breaking the nation’s laws when they come undocumented.
As if the law carries any real weight with people who seek to overturn elections by mob rule.
Interestingly, even for those who come in a much slower and purely legal way, America asks more of them and is far more suspicious of them than we are of our own, no matter how those born-and-bred Americans actually behave.
You can engage in domestic terrorism, attempt to overthrow an election, and threaten to hang the Vice-President on the steps of the Capitol and never have your Americanness questioned.
But if you seek to become a citizen of the U.S. and go through the naturalization process to make that happen, you will always be asked to prove your loyalty.
The naturalization oath presumes the disloyalty of the “other”
If you don’t believe me, all you have to do is witness a naturalization ceremony.
I had never seen one myself until 22 years ago.
I was speaking in Kansas City at a luncheon event for the Social Security Administration. Before my remarks, there was a ceremony to swear in two dozen or so new American citizens.
