Would you support English requirements for citizenship?

Question

I am looking for some opinions here for a report. I believe that English should be made the official language of the U.S. but only if the opportunity to learn English is given to all immigrants. For example, say you are a foreigner and would like to apply for citizenship. I think you should be required to take a course in basic english or perhaps 2 courses. This I believe would encourage new Americans to learn English and also not discriminate against foreigners that come to the U.S. to live because we would have provided them with the means to communicate in our country. The bottom line is... If you are a foreigner... Would you be more apt to accept English as the official language of the US if you were taught English? Or do you think people would still feel discriminated against by making English the official language?

Thanks for your input,

Pat

Answer 1

The citizenship test is administered in English.  Since we're not requiring anyone to apply for citizenship, it's not our responsibility to prepare anyone for the test.

Answer 2

I think they should administer the test in the language you understand best. I think Spanish should be official language. it sure would make it easier for my husband

Answer 3

The vast majority of applicants for US citizenship are already required to prove they can read, speak and understand English during the naturalization process. The citizenship test is twofold: a civics test, and a language test. The civics test is in English and obviously the English test is in English. So if you don't understand English, you can't pass either of those, therefore you cannot be a citizen.

There are three exceptions to that requirement, which are as follows:

(a) If you are over 50 years old and have lived in the United States as a Permanent Resident for periods totaling at least 20 years, you do not have to take the English test. You do have to take the civics test in the language of your choice.

(b) If you are over 55 years old and have lived in the United States as a Permanent Resident for periods totaling at least 15 years, you do not have to take the English test. You do have to take the civics test in the language of your choice.

(c) If you are over 65 years old and have lived in the United States as a Permanent Resident for periods totaling at least 20 years, you do not have to take the English test, but you do have to take a simpler version of the civics test in the language of your choice.

Now here's the trickier part, which does not relate directly to citizenship: while permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders) are in no way required by immigration law to know any English whatsoever, knowledge of English is nonetheless a de facto requirement because most people cannot hope to get a decent job in the US without knowing English.

Green card holders who don't know English are, for the most part, foreign spouses of US citizens who got their green card through marriage and stay at home, meaning they have no use for English and sometimes will have no interest in learning it, especially if their spouse speaks their foreign language. It's a shame they won't learn English but it is what it is, and they won't be allowed to become citizens until their age/length of stay in the US allows them to waive the English test they need to pass to become citizens. And again, those who want a real job will have to learn English.

For permanent residents who need to and want to learn English, there are ample opportunities provided by thousands of specialized language schools nationwide, and their children will learn it in whatever normal school they go to.

But like I said, the fact is that most new permanent residents will already know at least some English upon their arrival in the US, or they will be forced to learn in order to get by in their everyday lives.

In the end, I don't really see a need to change anything to the way things work when it comes to immigration and knowledge of English!

Answer 4

The basis for you seeking opinions is wrong.You say you believe English 'should be made' the official language of the US, but only in certain circumstances. I have news for you.It is already the official language of the US. That does not mean that other languages are not in use. The oath of allegiance is in english, as has already been pointed out, but federal government and state governments may print documents in other languages if they have a sizable population that would benefit from it.  

Answer 5

There are classes for people to learn English already!  Besides, many, many immigrants have come to America and they learned English on their own.

Since the vast majority of Americans speak English, yes, English should be the official language.