The Immigration Service announced Monday New test for citizenship, Which came into force on December 1, and re-implemented the old selection approved in 2008.
The Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating the Policy Handbook on Educational Requirements for Naturalization, with evidence proving “knowledge and understanding of the basics of history and the policies and manner of the U.S. government.” The company said.
The Citizenship test This is one of the basic tests of the naturalization process. In November, the Donald Trump administration implemented a new test with 128 questions to replace the old exam with 100 questions.
Applicants for naturalization have two opportunities to pass the English Language Proficiency and Citizenship Examination.
In the old exam, the agency posed 10 questions, of which the immigrant had to answer 6 correctly. In the new exam the number of questions increased to 20 and you have to answer 12 correctly.
Why change
In an internal note, the USCIS said the review follows new immigration policies implemented by the Joe Biden government until January 20.
“USCIS received about 2,500 comments from the public regarding the 2020 civic test. Many commented that there was no advance notice before the implementation of the 2020 civic test, which raised concerns about the limited time available for the study. Provision of materials and resources,” the company pointed out. .
“USCIS 2008 will return to testing, in line with the Executive Order to restore confidence in our immigration legal systems and to strengthen the integration and inclusion of new Americans’ efforts,” he said.
The Immigration Service added, “The USCIS may offer two versions of the test to accommodate some applicants for naturalization filed after December 1, 2020 or before March 1, 2020. 2021 and an interview is scheduled before April 19, 2021 ”.
Positive
In line with the new policy, USCIS said:
- Administer the 2008 civic test to applicants who applied for naturalization before December 1, 2020, or to applicants who applied until March 1, 2021;
- This will give applicants the opportunity to take the 2008 Citizenship Test or 2020 Citizenship Examination in cases where applicants have submitted an application for naturalization on or after December 1, 2020, and before March 1, 2021, and their interview is scheduled for April 19, 2021;
- It will administer the 2008 civic test for all applicants scheduled for April 19, 2021.
“I think the previous administration rushed in and did not give people enough time to prepare. This change will undoubtedly help immigrants who are eligible for U.S. citizenship,” said Alex Gulves, a trained immigration lawyer in Los Angeles, California.
“The new administration decided that the changes made under Trump’s zero tolerance were only motivated to place artificial sanctions against new citizens,” he added.
The new citizenship test has been heavily criticized by the immigrant community, which still considers it an obstacle to legal immigration to the United States.
On February 2, Biden signed three immigration administration orders, one of which was to facilitate legal immigration to the United States.
In the recommendations, the president said his government would identify barriers to access to fair and effective adjudication of these benefits, including immigration benefits and naturalization, and that “recommendations on how to remove these barriers would be appropriate and relevant.” The law ”.
