OFFICIAL USCIS CIVICS QUESTION

What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?

Category: American Government

Official Question & Answer

Question
What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
✦ OFFICIAL ANSWER ✦
(It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.

Why This Is the Answer

The 10th Amendment states that powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.

This amendment is the foundation of federalism — the idea that power is shared between the national government and state governments. It was added to reassure states that the new federal government wouldn't take over everything.

In practice, the 10th Amendment means states have wide authority over areas like education, transportation, criminal law, and family law — anything the Constitution doesn't specifically assign to the federal government.

💡 Interview Tip

Say: 'It gives powers not given to the federal government to the states or the people.'

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