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Naturalization test means breaking language barrier
By:YVETTE OROZCO, Citizen Reporter07/06/2005

Imagine having to say - much less spell - those three words in a foreign language. The prospect of any test can make anyone nervous.

For most of us, a written test can be simply a disruptive exercise. For a recent immigrant, it might be the obstacle between a dream and a reality.

To most Americans, the questions on a Naturalization test might be a matter of remembering as far back as high school. For someone new in this country, the history might be overshadowed by a new language.

David Garza has a legal practice in Pasadena and has represented many immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship.

"I think the test discourages a lot of people because of the language barrier," he said. An individual has three chances to pass the test. After that, the process must begin all over again. And the approximately six-month process of Naturalization is a very detailed one.

First, a person must have lived in the United States for at least five years before Naturalization can take place. If an individual is a member of the Armed Forces or is married to an American citizen, a three year residency is sufficient. After an initial application and fee to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, that individual must submit fingerprints do be checked by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. An interview is then conducted in which an immigration authority reviews the application, determines whether the individual meets the necessary requirements. The applicant must then show a proficiency in the English language. Then, that individual can take the civic and history test.

That is a summarized version of what a hopeful immigrant must go through. According to Garza, the study guide is a list of one hundred possible questions, but the actual test consists of a significantly smaller number of questions.

Studying a list of one hundred questions for a test that may only contain twenty questions can be a frustrating experience in itself, but in a foreign language - the test must seem impossible.

By this point, Garza said that most applicants are determined to complete the process.

"You're kind of in the position of, 'If you're going to be a citizen, why not learn the language and why not learn the specific questions,'" he said.

Although completing the Naturalization process provides immigrants with benefits like the right to vote and access to federal programs, Garza said the test and language barrier remain one determining factor for many not seeking citizenship.

"More individuals are discouraged that they're not going to be able to pass the test, so why go through the process," he said.

Que' se le nombre se el presidente rehusa firmar leyes-actas a ley y lo regresa al Congresso con sus objeciones?

Until most of us will have to answer that question in Spanish, we may never understand how intimidating it is to become an American citizen.