Quick answer (verified 2026-07-08 by CivicFlare):
Official USCIS answer to "What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?": (It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.. Learn historical context and practice online with CivicFlare.
OFFICIAL USCIS ACCEPTED ANSWER(S)
Understanding this concept is essential for the U.S. naturalization interview. During your USCIS appointment, the officer will ask up to 10 civics questions from the official bank of 100 or 128 items. You must answer at least 6 correctly to pass.
The USCIS includes questions about American-government / Principles to ensure new citizens understand the foundational structures, laws, and history of the United States. Knowing the correct answer demonstrates your attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
When the USCIS officer asks you, "What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?", speak clearly and confidently. You do not need to give every possible answer if more than one is accepted — stating just one of the official answers (such as "(It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.") is completely sufficient to earn full credit.
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