Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.

Why this is the answer

The Oath of Allegiance is the moment naturalization becomes real. At the ceremony, applicants raise their right hand and recite it, and at that time they become U.S. citizens. The question asks for two of its promises, and most of the six official answers are plain-language versions of the oath’s formal clauses. The authority behind the ceremony is in the Constitution, which gives Congress the power to establish a uniform rule of naturalization. Congress used that power to set rules for how immigrants could become citizens, and the oath is the final step after every other requirement is met. Reading the oath next to the answer list makes the answers stick. Renouncing all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty becomes “give up loyalty to other countries.” Supporting and defending the Constitution and laws against all enemies, foreign and domestic, becomes “defend the Constitution.” Bearing true faith and allegiance is “be loyal to the United States.” Bearing arms on behalf of the country, or doing noncombatant service in the Armed Forces, when the law requires it is “serve in the military (if needed),” and work of national importance under civilian direction is “serve the nation (if needed).” The study guide lists obeying the laws of the United States as a promise of its own. Near its end, the oath also declares that you take the obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. Notice the phrases “if needed” and “when required by the law.” Military and civilian service are conditional: new citizens commit to serve if the law ever calls on them. A wrong answer that sounds right is a patriotic duty that the oath never mentions, such as voting or paying taxes. Both matter, and both turn up elsewhere on the test, but neither is one of these promises. Two pairs are easy to say under pressure: “give up loyalty to other countries” with “obey the laws,” or “defend the Constitution” with “be loyal to the United States.”