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When Was the Last Time Someone Answered "Yes" to One of These Questions?

In order to become a U.S. citizen, one has to complete the Immigration and Naturalization Service’s Form N-400.

How long do you think it has been since someone answered “yes” to question 12(c) in part 10(b):

Between March 23, 1933, and May 8, 1945, did you work for or associate in any way (either directly or indirectly) with any German, Nazi, or S.S. military unit, paramilitary unit, self-defense unit, vigilante unit, citizen unit, police unit, government agency or office, extermination camp, concentration camp, prisoner of war camp, prison, labor camp, or transit camp?

I also wonder what kind of person answers “yes” to this question:

Have you ever been a member of or in any way associated (either directly or indirectly) with a terrorist organization?

I’m surprised we still bother to ask this question:

Have you ever been a member of or in any way associated (either directly or indirectly) with The Communist Party?

There are some trickier questions, though, like this one for instance:

Have you ever committed a crime or offense for which you were not arrested?

Not many people can truthfully answer “no” to that last question, but I presume everyone does anyway.

Is there any point to asking questions when you know that people will never give a “yes” answer?

It turns out that there actually is a point to such questions. U.S. law enforcement can use demonstrably false answers against individuals to prosecute or deport them. Indeed, some officers I was speaking with the other day said they wished there were more questions on terrorist activities on the N-400.


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