There are many strict obligations imposed on immigrants who want to become naturalized citizens. Naturalization requires the submission of a petition to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), as well as the payment of a fee.
Immigrants must attend an interview and pass tests before they qualify to take the oath of citizenship. There is a Civics test that looks at an immigrant’s understanding of United States history and government. There is also an English language test.
Can immigrants who have not yet mastered the English language qualify for naturalization?
Older immigrants can request exceptions
The English language is quite difficult to learn. People from a variety of different cultural backgrounds may find English confusing and hard to understand. Even with years of practice, they may struggle to read, write and speak proficiently in English.
The USCIS offers exemptions for older immigrants who have been in the country for years. Immigrants who are at least 50 and who have been in the country for 20 years may qualify for an English language test exemption.
They do not need to take the English language test, and they can take the Civics test in the language with which they are most comfortable. There’s a second exemption for immigrants who are 55 or older and who have been in the country for at least 15 years.
In some cases, waiting until an immigrant who struggles with English reaches an eligible age can be an option for bypassing English language requirements for naturalization. Reviewing the naturalization process and other immigration concerns with a lawyer can help people to better understand their options.