USA Citizenship Ceremony

Today was the day:  I've always wanted to go to a US Citizenship ceremony and today I saw Claudio Kogen sworn in to the USA and out of Argentina.

The ceremony was done by Chief Judge Ricardo Hinojosa, US District Court for the Southern District of Texas.  It occurred at the Temple Emanuel in McAllen TX since Claudio is also a Rabbi and the head of that congregation.

As expected it was both a solemn and happy occasion, like a wedding.  Family and friends were there.  He said a few words, and a few tears fell at the thought of this long journey.

And a long journey it is:  US law provides that a person must live in the US (legally under various visa/permanent resident) for 14 years.  So no one does this on a whim.  The ceremony underscored the important decision by the oath taken:

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

My friend Larry noted the word "potentate" and questioned what one was.  So... challenge 
accepted...

Part of 8 US Code  section 448   specifically states that the oath must contain a renunciation of any  

"foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereign".  

Apparently, that language has been part of the oath since the original Naturalization Act of 1790.  It has not changed substantially since then.

Interestingly, one part that is not normally included, but is a part of the oath, is to renounce any title of nobility that you might have from that foreign country.  So if you were a Knight, you're are one no more.

Webster's simply defines potentate as:  : ruler, sovereign; broadly : one who wields great power or sway

Potentate appears in the New Testament (King James Version) 1 Timothy 6:15

Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Roots are from the middle ages and Latin:  potent:  power, dominion

Rather than suggesting a negative, it appears to simply be a synonym for leader or power, both of which much be renounced in favor of US leaders and allegiance.

I had expected an allegiance to the Constitution, like the Presidential Oath.  Note that the Presidential oath does not contain a "defend from all enemies, foreign and domestic" like the US Military Oath or the US Citizenship Oath.   But it was interesting to see the similarities and differences.

Congratulations to Rabbi Kogen!  We're glad to have you in our American Family!