# So what IF I am a communist? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 27, 2012, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105 "2012-04-27T05:35:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/1 "2012-04-27T05:35:02Z")
Does it bug anyone that government forms still ask if you are a communist? Is that illegal? I want to answer yes one time just to see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/2 "2012-04-27T05:50:57Z")
> [@grude](#): > > Does it bug anyone that government forms still ask if you are a communist? Cite? ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/3 "2012-04-27T05:57:53Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > Cite? > **[Superseded Content | USCIS](https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/superseded-content)** > >   This content has been fully superseded. Please visit the > [@](#): > > Section 313(a)(2) of the Act specifically bars the naturalization of a person who has been or is a member of the Communist Party. See also section 316(a)(3) of the Act and 8 CFR 316.11 which require that the applicant, during the statutory period, “has been and still is a person … attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States.” An applicant cannot be naturalized if he or she has been or is a member of the Communist Party, unless he or she falls under sections 313(d) or 313(e) of the Act. For further information regarding Communism and attachment to the Constitution or favorable disposition towards good order and happiness refer to Interpretations 313.1 and 313.2 . > > Generally, an applicant is ineligible for naturalization if he or she was a member of the Communist Party, unless he or she qualifies for an exception. Section 313 of the Act and 8 CFR 313.2 describe ineligibility for naturalization resulting from Communist Party membership. Except as provided in section 313(d) of the Act and 8 CFR 313.3 , no applicant for naturalization shall be naturalized as a citizen of the United States if, within ten years immediately preceding the filing of an application for naturalization or after such filing but before taking the oath of citizenship, such applicant: > > • Is or has been a member of or affiliated with the Communist Party or any other totalitarian party; or > > • Is or has advocated communism or the establishment in the United States of a totalitarian dictatorship; or > > • Is or has been a member of or affiliated with an organization that advocates communism or the establishment in the United States of a totalitarian dictatorship, either through its own utterance or through any written or printed matter published by such organization; or > > • Is or has been a subversive, or a member of, or affiliated with, a subversive organization; or > > • Knowingly is publishing or has published any subversive written or printed matter, or written or printed matter advocating communism; or > > • Knowingly circulates or has circulated, or knowingly possesses or has possessed for the purpose of circulating, subversive written or printed matter, or written or printed matter advocating communism; or > > • Is or has been a member of, or affiliated with, any organization that publishes or circulates, or that possesses for the purpose of publishing or circulating, any subversive written or printed matter, or any written or printed matter advocating communism. In addition to that the one page form everyone is given to fill out when entering the USA(other countries usually also ask about communism) on the plane also asks about being a communist. Even if you’re a US citizen like I am. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/4 "2012-04-27T06:00:03Z")
Last time I filled out a US customs declaration there was no communism question. I do recall having to answer a lot of questions about fruits and vegetables. To answer your question, being a communist or member of a Communist Party is perfectly legal, but as you have ascertained yourself, it can be a barrier to naturalization. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/5 "2012-04-27T06:02:58Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Last time I filled out a US customs declaration there was no communism question. I do recall having to answer a lot of questions about fruits and vegetables. > > To answer your question, being a communist or member of a Communist Party is perfectly legal, but as you have ascertained yourself, it can be a barrier to naturalization. It was on mine along with asking if I was a nazi and other stuff, which again made me go so what? I assumed I might get extra questions or harassment for answering yes. ---
**Author:** ![Craz3d117](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c4cdca/32.png) [@Craz3d117](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Craz3d117)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/6 "2012-04-27T06:10:42Z")
All I know is that the correct answer is a definitive “no.” ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/7 "2012-04-27T06:29:02Z")
Huh. I’ve filled out many government forms in my lifetime and I don’t think I’ve \*ever \*been asked if I’m a communist. I feel left out. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/8 "2012-04-27T06:41:56Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Last time I filled out a US customs declaration there was no communism question. I do recall having to answer a lot of questions about fruits and vegetables. All the political questions are done with code words nowadays. For your sake, I hope you didn’t claim any “citrus”. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/9 "2012-04-27T10:37:10Z")
Hey, I work for a state university, making me an employee of the state. Before I could start work, I had to sign a [loyalty oath(PDF)](http://www.busfin.uga.edu/forms/security_oath.pdf), which doesn’t mention communism or other specific -isms either ;). Apparently it used to, and the[communism statement does still come up at times](http://www.11alive.com/rss/article/220448/3/Communist-Party-reference-in-oath-raises-questions). ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/10 "2012-04-27T11:01:21Z")
Huh, it bugs me because I thought we’d moved past the Cold War stuff and were supposed to be hating on Ayrabs and Moslems. Actually the reason it bugs me is that they ask about something controversial and either expect an honest answer, or already know and just want to see if you’ll own it. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/11 "2012-04-27T11:11:17Z")
> [@Craz3d117](#): > > All I know is that the correct answer is a definitive “no.” Conversely, if you are asked whether you are a god, definitely tick the “yes” box. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/12 "2012-04-27T11:17:51Z")
> [@Sudden\_Kestrel](#): > > I feel left… Yes, I suppose you do, COMRADE!!! ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/13 "2012-04-27T12:23:43Z")
I have a dim memory of being asked if i was a communist—I think the question appeared on a couple of job applications. I wish my memory wasn’t failing. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/14 "2012-04-27T12:44:37Z")
That gov-speak stuff always says “the Communist Party”, don’t they know there is more than one? Is being a French communist better or worse than a Chinese communist? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/15 "2012-04-27T13:47:59Z")
> [@Lsura](#): > > Apparently it used to, and the[communism statement does still come up at times](http://www.11alive.com/rss/article/220448/3/Communist-Party-reference-in-oath-raises-questions). So help me Og… ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/16 "2012-04-27T18:08:08Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > I have a dim memory of being asked if i was a communist—I think the question appeared on a couple of job applications. I wish my memory wasn’t failing. I don’t recall being asked that when I applied for my Trained Monkey Data Entry job with the feds, nor when I joined the Army. At least for the latter, however, I was asked (after a string of questions which basically come down to “Are you a member or financial supporter of a terrorist group?”) “Have you ever knowingly engaged in any activities designed to overthrow the U.S. Government by force?” “…No…” “Next question: Have you ever knowingly engaged in any acts of terrorism?” At which point I asked what happens if one says yes to such a question. My recruiter said he didn’t have a damn clue, but you’re probably not getting your security clearance. Or your government job. Interestingly, the form does stipulated that your honest answers cannot be used as evidence against you. (If you’re interested, behold [Standard Form 86](http://www.opm.gov/Forms/pdf_fill/SF86.pdf), no questions about communism but lots about finances and terrorism.) ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/17 "2012-04-27T18:27:55Z")
Over the course of my career, all within DoD, I’ve held a variety of security clearances and filled out a buttload of questionnaires, and I honestly don’t ever recall being asked if I was a commie. There were questions about whether I advocated overthrow of the government but my political leanings never seemed to come up. I do recall, eons ago, getting confused when someone told me nuns were communists. But that was true, in the strictest sense of the word - everything was about the community, not the individual. In an unrealistically ideal world, it’s a lovely idea. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/18 "2012-04-27T19:15:42Z")
Of the two forms I’ve had to fill in when entering the US (one for the seeds people and one for the political police), one asked whether I was a commie and whether I was going to break any law of the US. Well, not intentionally, no… but I always want to ask “do I get shipped home for a traffic ticket?” ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/19 "2012-04-27T22:01:16Z")
I had to do a state one years ago. They listed about 5 subversive groups you had to deny belonging to. Besides various communist parties, they also listed the SLA. The SLA? They were long gone. May as well asked if I belonged to the Knights Templar. Good they they didn’t ask if I belonged to the Judean People’s Front. I signed but right under that added “signed under duress” just to see if anyone noticed or cared. Nope. The state supreme court later ruled that being a communist wasn’t a valid thing to ask. So now they just ask if you have recently belonged to a group that advocated the overthrow of the US or state government, etc. It’s up to you to name the Communist Party if you think that’s what they’re doing. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105/20 "2012-04-27T22:26:44Z")
I’ve been to the US twice in the last month (California and Hawaii), both separate trips, and neither of the forms I filled out asked if I was a communist. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-i-am-a-communist/620105.md?page=2)