What is the naturalization oath?

• A. A ceremony in which the applicant pledges allegiance to the United States without renouncing any other loyalties.
• B. A ceremony where the applicant commits to living in the country for a fixed period.
• C. A ceremony where the applicant pledges allegiance to the United States and renounces previous allegiances.
• D. A ceremony that grants immediate citizenship without conditions.

Answer: (C)

Taking the naturalization oath is the formal pledge new U.S. citizens make during the naturalization ceremony. It includes pledging allegiance to the United States and renouncing any allegiance to other countries, along with an obligation to support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States. This renunciation of prior loyalties is a defining part of becoming a citizen through naturalization, showing that citizenship here requires loyalty to the United States above all other allegiances. The option that mentions both allegiance to the United States and renouncing previous allegiances matches that essential pledge. The other statements miss key elements—for example, one suggests no renunciation of other loyalties, another focuses only on residency, and another implies immediate citizenship without conditions.