How to become citizen for a 70 yr woman who doesnt speak english?

[WaterLily 14]

I would like to know if there is any way my Aunt who is 70 years old, can become citizen? She immigrated here in US with the help of her son. She's been here for the past 15 years. She speaks only one or two words in English. They keep sending letters to her to come for the test, she goes but fails because she cant understand English. Is there any chance for her to get the Citizenship? Any other ways that you know? Thank you

[Merrytooth 5,748]

See if these apply to your Aunt:

https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization/exceptions-accommodations

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 will be permitted to take the civics test in your native language.
If you take the test in your native language, you must bring an interpreter with you to your interview.
Your interpreter must be fluent in both English and your native language.
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.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization/exceptions-accommodations

She should be able to take it in her native language

[WaterLily 14]

Thank you. Can the interpreter be someone from her own family?

[Merrytooth 5,748]

https://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/HTML/PolicyManual-Volume12-PartB-Chapter3.html

3. Interpreters​

​

An interpreter may be selected either by the applicant or by USCIS in cases where the applicant is permitted to use an interpreter. The interpreter must:​

​

•Translate what the officer and the applicant say word for word to the best of his or her ability without providing the interpreter’s own opinion, commentary, or answer; and​

​

•Complete an interpreter’s oath and privacy release statement and submit a copy of his or her government-issued identification at the naturalization interview.​

​

A disinterested party should be used as an interpreter. If the USCIS officer is fluent in the applicant’s native language, the officer may conduct the examination in the applicant’s language of choice. ​

​

USCIS reserves the right to disqualify an interpreter provided by the applicant if an officer considers that the integrity of the examination is compromised by the interpreter’s participation.​

​

Edited May 12, 2016 by Merrytooth

[WaterLily 14]

Her native language is Tibetan. She was born in Tibet but had to flee her country when she was small with her family, and thousands of other Tibetans when communist China illegally occupied Tibet and killed so many innocent Tibetans . They sought refuge in India. She has never been to a school so cannot read or write in any languages. I doubt USCIS will have their own Tibetan Interpreters. So we will have to find an Interpreter who is not related to her. Thank you for your help.

[kiwibean 44]

I bet that if she brought her own interpreter - and they were a member of her family - that USCIS wouldn't necessarily automatically disqualify them. As long as it didn't seem that they were helping her answer the questions.

If you can find someone that isn't related, then I think that would be better. It sounds like she lived a very interesting/difficult life.

[abhi_meli 150]

Why does she want to become a citizen at this age?

[amkhan 108]

where she been before arrived into US for 55 years can she speak other language like indian ... and why does she needs an american citizenship at the age of 75!!!!

[Unlockable 7,314]

The issue is not her limited knowledge of language, but her limited knowledge of reading and writing? She keeps failing the exam because she may not be able to comprehend the material.

OP,

At her age maybe it is best she remains an LPR. A lot of people migrate elderly and do not understand the difficulty of them to adjust.

[charmander 692]

Who cares why? About 20% of naturalized citizens are aged 55 or over, 9% are 65 or over at the time they were naturalized. She is still young compared to this new citizen https://www.dhs.gov/blog/2015/08/24/centenarian-and-new-us-citizen .

A reason could very well be being able to travel back home country for long months without risking residency or maybe now that she has the time she wants to travel the world without having to deal with tourist visas or maybe she wants to vote in the upcoming election. Who cares why?

Edited May 13, 2016 by charmander

[WaterLily 14]

I am sorry if my question has upset you so much but i dont appreciate the tone in your message. You dont have to be rude and ask why is she here if she cant speak English. Who are you to question?

You do not understand her situation and what shes gone through. I am pretty sure the world you and she have lived, are like the sky and the ground.I know how frustrating it is and how much of a struggle it is for a person born with no country as your own. Been tagged a REFUGEE wherever you go. Her life has been a struggle for years. They used to live in a village in India,close to a forest,where there is still no proper access to drinking water. People there go to nearby ponds to fetch water and carry water cans on their back for daily use. About electricity, the govt there supply electricity only for 5-6 hours daily and it depends on when they want to cut if off. They obviously pay the bills.There are times when you have no electricity for a week continuously. There are no proper health facilities there and access is limited. Many people have died because they couldn't reach the hospital on time, lot of people have died due to snake bites and killed by elephants too,when they come of the forest to look for food into the village, some of them could have been saved if they can reach the hospital on time. Since they are refugees there,their concerns are not a priority to the govt. Please note this doesn't mean that we are not thankful to the Indian govt for at least giving us a shelter to live.In a situation like this, my cousin could never think about leaving my Aunt back where she came from.

We have tried it before, for someone who can only talk in 1 language and not know how to read and write in any languages at all, how difficult it would be for that person to learn at that age. You have no idea. how frustrating it is for her , we have seen it. She doesn't know the language but it doesn't mean that she doesn't know a thing about American history and politics. She understands it when you tell her as a story. But she is very bad in pronouncing English words, we dont get it so i doubt the non Tibetans would understand her, That is why we are looking for an interpreter so that she can at least give it a try.If that doesn't help then obviously we cant do much.

Going by your message,it sounds like since she cant speak English it would be better for my cousin to send my Aunt back to where she came from. Even though her only child, is here,her son. But sorry in our culture, we don't give up on our parents when they are old and need to be looked after.

edit to remove quoted content

Edited May 13, 2016 by Ontarkie

[WaterLily 14]

I bet that if she brought her own interpreter - and they were a member of her family - that USCIS wouldn't necessarily automatically disqualify them. As long as it didn't seem that they were helping her answer the questions.

If you can find someone that isn't related, then I think that would be better. It sounds like she lived a very interesting/difficult life.

Thank you. Yes we are looking to see if there is any way we can find an interpreter not known to her.

[Unlockable 7,314]

I previously inquired about if she can comprehend the information. If so, then teach her the civil exam information until she is knowledgeable of the content. During the exam an interpreter will interpret the questions for her word for word.

She will not be sent back because she is not a citizen. She can continue living in the US as an LPR. She can even travel using her GC. The point is if it is a struggle for her to take the exam then maybe you can just skip it altogether.

[WaterLily 14]

Why does she want to become a citizen at this age?

She is a Buddhist. I dont know if you are aware of it, there is a place in Bihar,India where Lord Buddha was born, it is a holy place for all the Buddhist.Every year, the monks, nuns and all the spiritual heads including His Holiness Dalai Lama and His Holiness Karmapa, gives teachings and they have month long prayer ceremonies conducted there. As she is getting older, she fears for death and she wants to do more prayers.She also wishes to get blessings from the holy monks in India and this is also like her vacation time for her. Right now, she doesn't have any documents to fly out of the country. She has no passport. Well actually for the Tibetan refugees, they never have any passports. India had issued a document called Identity certificate which Tibetans use as a passport to travel but her Identity certificate expired few years back. India will not renew her document now, since shes been living here for years and i believe they are not interested in taking a refugee back to their country. Not that she is going to live in India. So shes stuck. US passport would help her with her travel.