United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow declared the citizenship test “not very difficult.” It’s easy to “memorize the answers.” The Trump administration is planning to revise the citizenship test.
According to the USCIS website, the 2023 statistics show that 94.4% of those taking the citizenship test passed (combined total of initial and re-exam test takers).
According to the Institute for Citizens and Scholars’ 2018 national survey, 1 in 3, or 36%, of native-born citizens would pass the citizenship test.
WHAT ???
This is not a contest of who is smarter; rather, it is intended to question the assertion that the test “is not very difficult”.
Now, let’s consider the claim of how easy it is to “memorize the answers.” Sure, if you put in the work, it is not so hard to memorize the answers. But the point is you have to do the work, and doing this work when not in your primary language is considerably more difficult. The English test includes an oral, readin,g and writing English component. And this is not all!
The citizenship test is close to the final stage of becoming a citizen. Prior to the test, a 14-page application and biometric testing (fingerprints, photographs, signatures to facilitate criminal and national security background checks to protect national security and public safety, FBI name check ) have to be completed, and a $760.00 processing fee paid (see USCIS website).
So, is the citizenship test “not very difficult”?
Obtaining citizenship is a rigorous process that takes time, effort, money, motivation, investment, fortitude, determination, English proficiency, and lots of study and practice.
“The United States has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all parts of the world. Deciding to become a U.S. citizen is an important milestone in an immigrant’s life. Candidates for citizenship must show they are committed to the underlying principles that bind us as Americans.”- USCIS website.
The final step in becoming a citizen is taking the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America.
Robin Stricoff
Oxford
0 Responses
In Trump world, it is all about giving shallow people someone to fear and hate. Call it like it is.
I once wondered and so asked a current but recently deceased Teacher of Citizenship Classes, “I wonder if I could pass it?” Others present joined in with my quest. The Teacher responded, “I doubt it; it’s very difficult.”
I wonder if those in current leadership in The Regime, could pass it? Unfortunately we require so little of those whom we elect to legislate and lead our various political offices.
So before any changes are made, those insisting it be made harder, should proceed to try it themselves!
Peace,
I had a giggle on this. With my citizenship test, I had to “memorize” 100 questions and their appropriate answers. In the actual test you’re only asked ten, and if you get the first six correct, you’ve passed. Yet you still have to learn 100 answers! I would have American friends test me–the majority of them learned nearly 100 forgotten or new facts to them… 😉
Before achieving citizenship, the Green Card process is even more complicated, lengthy, and VERY expensive ($15-20,000+, and that was 20+ years ago). I was lucky to have a US organization who wanted me and therefore sponsored me. And that was after the very lengthy H1B work visa application and five years of being tied to a sponsor organization to be eligible to apply for a Green Card…
How pathetic that only 1 in 3 native born US citizens could pass the citizenship test. Yet this is a test considered “too easy”by the Trump administration? Perhaps the high pass rate is due to the fact that immigrants work and study hard, as their future well being is dependent on being US citizens.
Thank you Robin. Anyone who has read the Citizenship test booklet can certainly attest to the fact that many of the questions ( particularly dates and names) would challenge most American citizens, let alone someone who did NOT grow up in our school system! Just another ploy by this racist president to differentiate groups of people
Interesting. To drive you must pass a driving test. They probably want you to pass it really.
They probably want you to pass the citizenship test too. But that was yesterday.
Thank you Robin and all other commenters
I bet Melania did not have a take the test, or her family that followed her to the USA.
My suggestion is that every US citizen that registers to vote should have to pass the citizenship questionnaire to pass. Only an educated and knowledgeable electorate guaranties a viable ‘We the people’ democracy
I have an organization Become A US Citizen and have a study guide that will give eligible people a head start on completing the application and the test Available in Spanish & vietnamese
https://uscitizenstudyguide.
Please contact me if you would like to participate in educational activities