What does it take to be an American?

I recently went to see a movie and while suffering through eight minutes of non-stop commercials, before the featured attraction began, one message – an effort to save the unused buildings at Ellis Island by the organization saveellisisland.org – did command my attention.

Wanting to know more about Ellis Island, I tracked it down on the Internet at ellisisland.org. The popular historic tourist attraction is at the mouth of the Hudson River in New York Harbor, facing Liberty Island, and is managed by the National Park Service.

Prior to 1890, the individual states regulated immigration. Since its opening in 1892, until its closing in 1954, the station processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers. More than 40 percent of America's population can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island.

The main building was restored after 30 years of abandonment and opened as a museum in 1990. Ellisisland.org further invites you to take one of five tests consisting of 20 multiple-choice questions that immigrants must pass before being granted legal citizenship. Here are just a few of those questions:

 1. Who meets in the U.S. Capitol Building?

 2. What is the national anthem of the United States?

 3. Who nominates judges for the Supreme Court?

 4. Who is the chief justice of the Supreme Court?

 5. How many full terms can a president serve?

 6. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

 7. Where does freedom of speech come from?

 8. How long do cabinet officers maintain their positions?

 9. What is the first Constitution called?

10. Who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance?

11. How many times may a senator or a congressman be re-elected?

12. How many changes, or amendments, are there to the constitution?

13. What is the most important right granted to the United States citizens?

14. What do the stars on the flag mean?

15. Who helped the Pilgrims in America?

Answers: 1. Congress. 2. “The Star-Spangled Banner.” 3. The president. 4. John G. Roberts Jr.  5. Two. 6. Freed the slaves. 7. The Bill of Rights. 8. As long as the president wishes. 9. The Articles of Confederation. 10. Francis Bellamy. 11. There is no limit. 12. Twenty-seven. 13. The right to vote. 14. One for each state. 15. Native Americans.

How many of these questions do you suppose an illegal alien can answer correctly?

I give you President John Adams’ toast: Independence forever.