Apply for citizenship or not?

[mario777 0]

Hi all

My mom is debating if should apply for citizenship or not!

fact is- She understand english i would say 40-50%.

She can learn this 100 questions, but will understand only if she reads them!

I mean she can give correct answer but she has hard time to understand a question if someone else read it.

Other then that she can write and read english,but only simple sentences.

Do you guys know if she will have any chance to pass, or will IO officer allow her to read her questions ?

[rsn 135]

Hi all

My mom is debating if should apply for citizenship or not!

fact is- She understand english i would say 40-50%.

She can learn this 100 questions, but will understand only if she reads them!

I mean she can give correct answer but she has hard time to understand a question if someone else read it.

Other then that she can write and read english,but only simple sentences.

Do you guys know if she will have any chance to pass, or will IO officer allow her to read her questions ?

It sounds like the civics section is an oral exam. If your mom has been an LPR for 15 yrs and is 55 or older, or if she has been a LPR for 20 years and is 50 or older, she may qualify to take the test in her native language.

[mario777 0]

thx for reply

she is 66 y old and been resident for 6 y.

I heard in past some people were able to read their questions but i guess INS changed it....

[rsn 135]

thx for reply

she is 66 y old and been resident for 6 y.

I heard in past some people were able to read their questions but i guess INS changed it....

FYI, my information comes from USCIS.gov.

[antda 13]

Hi Mario777,

First of all, if your mom is:

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Exceptions & Accommodations

There are exceptions and modifications to the naturalization requirements that are available to those who qualify. USCIS also provides accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

See the “A Guide to Naturalization” link to the right for more information.

English Language Exemptions

You Are Exempt From The English Language Requirement, But Are Still Required To Take The Civics Test If You Are:

Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (green card holder) in the United States for 20 years (commonly referred to as the “50/20” exception).

OR

Age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years (commonly referred to as the “55/15” exception).

Note: Even if you qualify for the “50/20” or “55/15” English language exceptions listed above, you must still take the civics test. You may be permitted to take the civics test in your native language, but only if your command of spoken English is insufficient to conduct a valid examination in English. If you are age 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years at the time of filing for naturalization, you will be given special consideration regarding the civics requirement.

Medical Disability Exceptions to English and Civics

You may be eligible for an exception to the English and civics naturalization requirements if you are unable to comply with these requirements because of a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment.

To request this exception, submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. This form must be completed by a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor, or licensed clinical psychologist.

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Then she doesn't have to do the civics/history test at all...

If she isn't one of the above exceptions, she has to do the test. just like everyone else.

The test consists of 10 history/civics questions that the immigration officer asks verbally and the applicant answers verbally, to see if the applicant knows enough about US history, which the applicant has to get at least 6 right from that. And the test also consists of 2 sentences, to see if one the applicant is able to understand English. One sentence is a sentence that the applicant reads out loud from a written statement. The other sentence is one that the immigration officer says out loud, and the applicant has to write such down. As well, the immigration officer will go through her application form, and ask additional question about her application and other things, if need be.

For more information about the test materials, you can read more about that here:

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The Naturalization Test

One of the requirements for U.S. citizenship through naturalization is to take the naturalization test to demonstrate that you are able to read, write, and speak basic English and that you have a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government (also known as “civics”).

Once you have completed and submitted your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and you have had your fingerprints taken at a USCIS facility, you will receive an appointment for an interview. At your naturalization interview, you will be required to answer questions about your application and background. You will also take an English and civics test unless you qualify for an exemption or waiver.

English & Civics

During your interview, a USCIS officer will test your ability to read, write, and speak English and your knowledge of civics. You must read one sentence out of three sentences correctly in English, and you must write one sentence out of three sentences correctly in English. Your ability to speak English is determined during your interview on your naturalization application. Finally, you must answer 6 out of 10 civics questions correctly to achieve a passing score.

You will be given two opportunities to take the English and civics tests and to answer all questions relating to your naturalization application in English. If you fail any of the tests at your initial interview, you will be retested on the portion of the test that you failed (English or civics) between 60 and 90 days from the date of your initial interview. See 8 CFR 312.5(a) and 335.3(B).

If You Don’t Pass

If an applicant fails the English and/or civics test during the first examination, the applicant will be required to take the same version of the test, old or new, when the applicant is retested, even if the retest is scheduled on or after October 1, 2009.

Study Materials for the Naturalization Test

During your naturalization eligibility interview, a USCIS officer will test your ability to read, write, and speak English (unless you are exempt from the English requirements). You will also be given a civics test in English (to test your knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government) unless you are exempt. Even if exempt from the English test, you will need to take the civics test unless you qualify for a waiver. You may also be eligible to take the civics test in your native language with the assistance of an interpreter if you qualify.

See the “Exceptions & Accommodations” link to the right for more information.

English. Your English skills will be tested in the following ways:

Reading. To test your ability to read in English, you must read one sentence, out of three sentences, in a manner suggesting to the USCIS officer that you understand the meaning of the sentence.

Writing. To test your ability to write in English, you must write one sentence, out of three sentences, in a manner that would be understandable as written to the USCIS officer.

Speaking. Your ability to speak English is determined by your answers to questions normally asked by USCIS officers during the naturalization eligibility interview regarding the information on your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

Civics. During your interview, the USCIS officer will ask you to orally answer a set of civics questions. You must answer 6 out of 10 civics questions correctly to achieve a passing score.

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In my opinion, I think that if her English comprehension is minimal, it would be difficult for her to pass such a test. So I would recommend the following:

-If it is offered in your area, for her to take a citizenship test preparation class . These classes are usually offered at commnity colleges, colleges, libraries, community centres, etc. They are helpful too, in getting to know new people and others in the community too.

-For you and/or another family member, friend, neighbour, co-worker, etc. to help her study for the test.

-And make sure she is confident and very well prepared to take the test, before she actually does such. After all, you don't want her to go through the test, and be disappointed if she does not pass.

Hope this helps. Good luck with you and your mom's immigration journeys.

Ant

Hi all

My mom is debating if should apply for citizenship or not!

fact is- She understand english i would say 40-50%.

She can learn this 100 questions, but will understand only if she reads them!

I mean she can give correct answer but she has hard time to understand a question if someone else read it.

Other then that she can write and read english,but only simple sentences.

Do you guys know if she will have any chance to pass, or will IO officer allow her to read her questions ?

Edited November 5, 2009 by Ant+D+A

[rsn 135]

Where does it say the civics test can be skipped?

[Mononoke28 135]

Where does it say the civics test can be skipped?

It's in the Medical Disability Exceptions section:

Medical Disability Exceptions to English and Civics

You may be eligible for an exception to the English and civics naturalization requirements if you are unable to comply with these requirements because of a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment.

To request this exception, submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. This form must be completed by a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor, or licensed clinical psychologist.

Diana

[antda 13]

Where does it say the civics test can be skipped?

Here: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...000b92ca60aRCRD

Exceptions & Accommodations

(which I posted the info about in my above post...too...)

Hope this helps as well...

Ant

Edited November 5, 2009 by Ant+D+A

[Mononoke28 135]

Hi all

My mom is debating if should apply for citizenship or not!

fact is- She understand english i would say 40-50%.

She can learn this 100 questions, but will understand only if she reads them!

I mean she can give correct answer but she has hard time to understand a question if someone else read it.

Other then that she can write and read english,but only simple sentences.

Do you guys know if she will have any chance to pass, or will IO officer allow her to read her questions ?

Mario,

My 2 cents is that she should at least try to memorize the questions because I'm pretty sure they will be asked orally. If she can nail that and answer some of the regular conversation questions that the person conducting the interview will ask, she will then have a better chance of passing.

It doesn't hurt to try though.

Diana

[antda 13]

Study Materials for the Naturalization Test:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...0004718190aRCRD

Hope this helps too...

Ant

[antda 13]

It doesn't hurt to try though.

But it costs $675 for two attempts to pass the test....

Plus it takes time (many months or weeks) to schedule/reschedule an interview date....

So be prepared! And think, Mario777: Can my mom pass such, given these facts too?

Ant

Edited November 5, 2009 by Ant+D+A

[Mononoke28 135]

It doesn't hurt to try though.

But it costs $675 for two attempts to pass the test....

Plus it takes time (many months or weeks) to schedule/reschedule an interview date....

So be prepared! And think, Mario777: Can my mom pass such, given these facts too?

Ant

Absolutely, so that's why it would be a good idea to at least memorize the questions because that's half the battle. Once that's done, it's worth trying to go to the interview and see how it goes. I would much rather spend that much money on the whole thing than sit at home, not do anything about it and wonder about the what ifs...

Diana

[antda 13]

Absolutely, so that's why it would be a good idea to at least memorize the questions because that's half the battle. Once that's done, it's worth trying to go to the interview and see how it goes. I would much rather spend that much money on the whole thing than sit at home, not do anything about it and wonder about the what ifs...

Diana

I agree...read over and memorize the questions first..."to get a taste of what it is really like for the test and what is required for citizenship".

See if your (Mario777's) mom understands such first, and then make an informed decision based on that....

If she is ready, then go ahead and apply. If not, then she might need to prepare more...

Just don't want to see her fail such a test, and be disappointed at such, especially more so when there is money and time involved in such a decision too....

Lol..I wouldn't want to risk $675+ and additional months, knowing that I'm not prepared for such...seems like a waste there..you know what I mean?

So be prepared first!!!

Don't worry, there is no time limit and/or deadline to apply for citizenship..

So take all the time and resources she needs to study, and she should be ok there...

"Measure twice, cut once"...."Practice makes perfect".......

Good luck on the studying too.

Ant

Edited November 5, 2009 by Ant+D+A