Got Immigration? The World’s Best Damn Blog About U.S. Immigration

I have to say, I’m impressed.  USCIS just launched its new online citizenship resource center, which contains a plethora of information for prospective naturalization applicants.  I especially like the way the site breaks down materials for learners (i.e., naturalization applicants), teachers, and organizations – allowing anyone to easily access the information necessary to figure out this often-times opaque process.  For all my criticism of USCIS, I’ll admit that it does a great job of providing people with information.  Well, certain information – sometimes.

USCIS reminded the public today that its new naturalization test became mandatory on October 1, 2009.  According to today’s Press Release, the purpose of the new test is to “help strengthen integration efforts by emphasizing fundamental concepts of American democracy, basic U.S. history, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.”  The Release goes on to state that USCIS wanted to also ensure uniform naturalization tests across the country (which surprises me, since the old test basically had the same questions every time, taken from a predetermined list).

I haven’t seen the new test yet, but I almost hope that it’s harder than the old one.  All permanent residents had to do was get the list of questions from USCIS, memorize them, and they’d pass the naturalization test almost every time.  As it is, the pass rate for this new test is apparently 91% overall, which tells me that it’s probably not all that much different than the old test.  If USCIS really wanted to discharge its duty, and make sure that new Americans really knew about this country and its history, values, and system of government, it would design a test that prospective citizens would have a tough time passing.  Conversely, I’d get rid of the English test completely, and just require that the naturalization interview be in English, unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption.  In my mind, applicants for naturalization are already “legal” – they have the right to work and live in the United States, and can remain in the country indefinitely if they can’t or don’t want to naturalize.  If they want all of the rights and benefits of citizenship, though, they should have to work for it, and not just memorize a list of questions and answers and learn to speak English at the lowest possible level of proficiency.  This new naturalization test seems like a good start, but I’d like to see even greater changes in the near future.