2020 Citizenship Test Revision
NORTHRIDGE, CA — According to U.S immigration officials, immigrants applying for United States citizenship will be subject to a revised version of the test starting Dec. 1st.
U.S citizenship test requires applicants to demonstrate a basic understanding of the English language, both written and spoken, while also getting a 60% or higher on the exam.
Hugo Acosta, a citizenship teacher, says, “The one thing that prevents people from applying is the English language. They’re afraid of interviewing in English. But once they apply and they start going to classes, there’s a lot of help. Either with the U.S CIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services) website or through YouTube. I do find that people make an effort to learn.
Applicants must answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly, adding ten more questions to the exam and a total of 128 practice questions.
Acosta argues, “I don’t think it was necessary, and especially not with due time for people who prepare.”
U.S immigration officials say they revised the citizenship test to include more questions about American history and politics.
This election year showed Americans how important it is to be politically aware.
Abel Gutierrez, an applicant, says, “Once you’re a citizen, it’s better to be informed when voting for a presidential candidate. This year showed us we need to be involved when making decisions for our future.”
Acosta says being including American history and politics is the best way” to gain information about government and vote for the person that is going to look after their needs and their family needs.”
In addition to an increase in questions, there was also an increase in fees.
The price for citizenship went from $650 to $1,160 for the online application and $1,170 for the paper application.
This revision comes after a long list of immigration policy changes by the Trump administration.
The Trump administration was notorious for immigration policies such as the Muslim ban, zero-tolerance policy, and increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Acosta says, “They’re raising the fees, a very substantial amount. I think they’re trying to deter people from applying for citizenship. I think it’s politically motivated.”
Controversy arose about citizenship questions after Alabama senator-elect Tommy Tuberville and supreme court judge Amy Coney Barret struggled to answer some of the questions.
In a recent interview with The Alabama Daily News, Tuberville said, “Our government wasn’t set up for one group to have all three of branches of government. It wasn’t set up that way, our three branches, the House, the Senate, and executive.”
The citizenship test asks about the three branches of government. The answer Tuberville gave was wrong and would actually be executive, legislative, and judicial.
Supreme Court Judge Amy Coney Barret was asked about the first amendment’s five freedoms and struggled to remember.
Even the nation’s highest officials struggle with the citizenship test questions.
Leticia, an applicant, argues, “If they were born and raised in the United States and have spent years studying government and even they don’t know the answers, I think it is unfair for them to require us to know.”
On the other hand, Acosta supports the citizenship questions saying, “I think it’s important for them [applicants] to know. It is important for us to become citizens and for us to vote and know how the system works. I am a believer in it [the citizenship system], but I also think it needs to be fair.”
Despite the citizenship test revision, Leticia is optimistic, saying, “Nobody is ever truly prepared for the interview. There’s always a chance you will mess up, but I’m hopeful everything will turn out well.”
Applicants have two chances to take the exam.
Acosta has been teaching citizenship classes for 12 years and says, “My job is very gratifying and rewarding. There’s this huge sense of pride in what we do and a sense of pride for clients once they go through the process and get naturalized and vote.
By Kimberly Garcia with contributions from CBS and USA Today
Photos, Tanvi Misra/CQ Roll Call
EDUCATE YOURSELF
New Citizenship Test Draws Criticism
