Functional Illiteracy and the N400 Interview

[lucy4 11]

I was just discussing the N400 process with a friend, and how excited I was that I was finally scheduled. She was then telling me about her spouse who she's been married to for 6 years now. He meets every qualification for naturalization, except for the reading and writing. He is functionally illiterate. She says he can read and write, but only the most basic of sentences. I know there has to be a way that he can get past that, or is it futile?

My heart sank because here I am all excited, and deep down I felt like I was rubbing salt in a wound.

[ConcordUser 18]

I was just discussing the N400 process with a friend, and how excited I was that I was finally scheduled. She was then telling me about her spouse who she's been married to for 6 years now. He meets every qualification for naturalization, except for the reading and writing. He is functionally illiterate. She says he can read and write, but only the most basic of sentences. I know there has to be a way that he can get past that, or is it futile?

My heart sank because here I am all excited, and deep down I felt like I was rubbing salt in a wound.

It is very simple. I am sure he will pass.

[BethandBilly 86]

The form asks if there are any other reasons the person applying for N-400 can be excused from the reading and writing portions of the naturalization process, surely this would fall under that. I have a problem reading regular writing and writing myself. I'm not blind, I don't have issues reading much of what I see on the internet, laptop etc, but this is due to my pupils not working. I was told I may be able to get a waiver on the writing portion, due to this, but I think if the sentence I am asked to write is short enough I shouldn't have a problem, after all I am an English speaker so I should be ok. I hope that helps a little, probably not much, sorry, but I do think if your friend and her husband see a Dr and have the Dr do a letter for USCIS then he may have grounds for a waiver.

[lucy4 11]

Thanks guys.

@Concord, Im pretty sure so too, but since I havent yet experienced it, I cant really advise her there.

@BethandBilly, thanks Im going to look into the waiver a little bit and ask her if he would qualify. I dont really know how basic his basic is, if you know what I mean. I'll try to get more info.

It is very simple. I am sure he will pass.

On another note, @ConcordUser Ive finally been scheduled. :dance:

[Kajikit 65]

They give you a vocabulary list in the back of the citizenship booklet for both the reading and the writing sections of the test (they're not identical, but most of the words are very simple). If it's any help, his partner could drill him in those lists for as long as necessary to help him learn them. You have to read and write sentences like 'The president lives in the White House.' If he has a certifiable learning disability (like dyslexia) causing his illiteracy he could get a medical exemption on that part of the test and not have to do it. They just need to fill out the medical form and get a doctor to rubber-stamp it.

[ConcordUser 18]

They give you a vocabulary list in the back of the citizenship booklet for both the reading and the writing sections of the test (they're not identical, but most of the words are very simple). If it's any help, his partner could drill him in those lists for as long as necessary to help him learn them. You have to read and write sentences like 'The president lives in the White House.' If he has a certifiable learning disability (like dyslexia) causing his illiteracy he could get a medical exemption on that part of the test and not have to do it. They just need to fill out the medical form and get a doctor to rubber-stamp it.

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