Posted on 11/21/2006 8:51:18 AM PST by theothercheek
Typical questions on the US citizenship test include: “How many states are there in the United States?”; “Where is the White House located?”; and “What are the 49th and 50th states of the Union?”
The US government is scrapping this test, which requires nothing more than rote memorization of facts, in favor of a new 10-question oral exam conducted in English that tests an immigrant’s grasp of the principles of American democracy, including the freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The change is meant to counteract a 20-30 year retreat from emphasizing Americanization in favor of multiculturalism – a reaction, in part, to the worsening cultural and societal problems caused by large populations of unassimilated immigrants in Europe.
Chris Bentley, spokesman for the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency tells The Washington Times that the proposed test for naturalized citizenship has its roots in a report by a Clinton administration commission headed by former Rep. Barbara Jordan that emphasized "effective Americanization of new immigrants, that is the cultivation of a shared commitment to the American values of liberty, democracy and equal opportunity," including policies to "help newcomers learn to speak, read and write English effectively."
Some immigrants "come from a culture, a government, a society that is completely removed from our concept of government," Shawn Saucier, another USCIS spokesman tells The Christian Science Monitor.
The new test makes sense to The Stiletto, but more than 220 immigrant organizations signed a letter to USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez that charges the new test is an insurmountable barrier for "poorer legal immigrants with less English and less education" to getting US citizenship, The Washington Times reports.
The new test will be administered on a trial basis in 10 cities beginning this winter, and will be phased in nationwide by January 2008. Immigrants who fail – that is, answer fewer than six questions correctly - can take the standard test, which almost no one fails.
NOTE: This is the second article in a feature called "The Daily Blade," and follows an article titled "Dems Beset By Indecision, Infighting And Intrigue." The original source includes links to relevant articles and Web sites.
A lot of college educated Americans would fail that new test.
Too bad none of the Democrats taking office are of Rep. Jordan's caliber.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
WTF?
Are they going to judge the appropriateness of the test by how many pass / fail?
It's about time!
No need to point to Europe; we have our own problems with unassimilated masses right here in the U.S.
If you don't know the basic tenets of democracy, then maybe you shouldn't be here.
A lot of college educated Americans would fail that new test.
How about...
Would you die for freedom?
That would be a good question.
By global test.
If the immigrants want to be naturalized citizens, the test is appropriate.
Why bother with the new test?
The new test makes sense to The Stiletto, but more than 220 immigrant organizations signed a letter to USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez that charges the new test is an insurmountable barrier for "poorer legal immigrants with less English and less education" to getting US citizenship,
Well then..........consider that idea scrapped. Afterall, we want to make sure that just anyone and everyone gets in.
Remember when citizenship was a coveted "prize"?
Yeah, but look at what they're teaching them in college: 9/11 was a US government conspiracy, women's studies, etc., etc., etc.
It will be like the DMV tests. Now people just stand around sharing answers and the gubment employees do nothing.
Probably. Or maybe it's the government functionaries who are administering the test needing the trial. ;)
We should administer this test to every person that is eligible to vote.
Our problems are mostly economic (jobs, wages, government benefits). Europe is grappling with sectarian violence on a scale that is rapidly becoming frightening.
This should be required to receive a diploma also.
The Test:
1. What are the colors of our flag?
2. How many stars are there on our flag?
3. What color are the stars on our flag?
4. What do the stars on the flag mean?
5. How many stripes are there on the flag?
6. What color are the stripes?
7. What do the stripes on the flag mean?
8. How many states are there in the Union?
9. Why do we celebrate the Fourth of July?
10. What is the date of Independence day?
11. Independence from whom?
12. What country did we fight during the Revolutionary War?
13. Who was the first President?
14. Who is president today?
15. Who is vice president today?
16. Who elects the president of the United States?
17. Who becomes our president if the president should die?
18. For how long do we elect the president?
19. What is the Constitution?
20. Can the Constitution be changed?
21. What do we call a change to the Constitution?
22. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution?
23. How many branches are there in our government?
24. What are the three branches of our government?
25. What is the legislative branch of our government?
26. Who makes federal laws?
27. What is Congress?
28. What are the duties of Congress?
29. Who elects Congress?
30. How many senators are there in Congress?
31. Can you name the senators from your state?
32. For how long do we elect each senator?
33. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
34. For how long do we elect the representatives?
35. What is the Executive branch of our government?
36. What is the Judiciary branch of our government?
37. What are the duties of the Supreme Court?
38. What is the supreme law of the United States?
39. What is the Bill of Rights?
40. What is the capital of your state?
41. Who is the governor of your state?
42. Who becomes president if both the president and the vice president die?
43. Who is chief justice of the Supreme Court?
44. Can you name the 13 original states?
45. Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death"?
46. Which countries were our allies during World War II?
47. What is the 49th state added to our Union?
48. How many full terms can a president serve?
49. Who was Martin Luther King Jr.?
50. Who is the head of your local government?
51. According to the Constitution, a person must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible to become president. Name one.
52. Why are there 100 senators in the U.S. Senate?
53. Who nominates judges of the Supreme Court?
54. How many Supreme Court justices are there?
55. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?
56. What is the head executive of a state government called?
57. What is the head executive of a city government called?
58. What holiday was celebrated for the first time by the American colonists?
59. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?
60. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
61. What is the basic belief of the Declaration of Independence?
62. What is our national anthem?
63. Who wrote the national anthem?
64. Where does freedom of speech come from?
65. What is the minimum voting age?
66. Who signs bills into law?
67. What is the highest court in the United States?
68. Who was president during the Civil War?
69. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
70. What special group advises the president?
71. Which president is called the "Father of Our Country"?
72. What is the 50th state of the Union?
73. Who helped the Pilgrims in America?
74. What is the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America?
75. What were the 13 original states of the United States called?
76. Name three rights or freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
77. Who has the power to declare war?
78. Name one amendment that guarantees or addresses voting rights.
79. Which president freed the slaves?
80. In what year was the Constitution written?
81. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?
82. Name one purpose of the United Nations.
83. Where does Congress meet?
84. Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?
85. What is the introduction to the Constitution called?
86. Name one benefit of being a citizen of the United States.
87. What is the most important right granted to U.S. citizens?
88. What is the United States Capitol?
89. What is the White House?
90. Where is the White House located?
91. What is the president's official home?
92. Name one right guaranteed by the First amendment.
93. Who is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Army and Navy?
94. Which president was the first commander in chief of the U.S. Army and Navy?
95. In what month do we vote for president?
96. In what month is the new president inaugurated?
97. How many times may a senator be re-elected?
98. How many times may a congressman be re-elected?
99. What are the two major political parties in the United States today?
100. How many states are there?
Then take away their citizenship until they can pass the test.
If citizens really had to understood how our nation works, Democrats would never get elected.
If the immigrants wish citizenship pass the test or go back.
Mostly. But we've also been importing a decent-sized criminal element from Central and So. America.
As far as Islamics go, as long as they constitute only 2% of the population we'll stay out of the kind of trouble Europe is now facing. But alas, that percentage isn't holding steady.
Here's a 10 question essay test for citizenship:
What is the 1st Amendment, and what does it guarantee?
What is the 2nd Amendment, and what does it guarantee?
What is the 3rd Amendment, and what does it guarantee?
etc.
1. ¿Cuáles son los colores de nuestra bandera?
2. ¿Cuántas estrellas hay en nuestra bandera?
3. ¿Qué color es las estrellas en nuestra bandera?
4. ¿Qué las estrellas en la bandera significan?
5. ¿Cuántas rayas hay en la bandera?
6. ¿Qué color es las rayas?
7. ¿Qué las rayas en la bandera significan?
8. ¿Cuántos estados hay en la unión?
etc.
Oh wait I forgot these are the Jorje Bush versions of the questions.
The obvious should never have to be explained....
8^)
Before anyone cheers this, they might want to know what the government says the "correct" answers are. I bet the second amendment doesn't apply to individuals, the Constitution is a "living" document, etc. ... Another form of indoctrination, until I see otherwise.
"If citizens really had to understood how our nation works, Democrats would never get elected."
That's so true. Everytime liberals open their mouths, you can see how misinformed they are. Too many people vote based on looks or perceptions gleaned from the media. Obama's a perfect example.
What the heck does that have to do with American citizenship???
Maybe this new test will be a Very Good Thing.
Yup!
If immigrants fail the the so-called "test", they can always resort to Bush's method of immigration; just sneak over the border and claim your driver's license, welfare benefits, in-state college tuition replete with free meals benefits, then go get your amnesty.
Why not just print the standard test on glossy paper with pink bows? OBTW, I'm wondering if the new citizens know who was POTUS when the Louisiana Purchase went through?
I even got a better one for them to remember with respect to some of the concepts bestowed upon a person as to what an American should be:
"In compliance with an usage coeval with the existence of our Federal Constitution, and sanctioned by the example of my predecessors in the career upon which I am about to enter, I appear, my fellow citizens, in your presence and in that of Heaven to bind myself by the solemnities of religious obligation to the faithful performance of the duties allotted to me in the station to which I have been called.
In unfolding to my countrymen the principles by which I shall be governed in the fulfillment of those duties my first resort will be to that Constitution which I shall swear to the best of my ability to preserve, protect, and defend. That revered instrument enumerates the powers and prescribes the duties of the Executive Magistrate, and in its first words declares the purposes to which these and the whole action of the Government instituted by it should be invariably and sacredly devoted -- to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to the people of this Union in their successive generations......."
Inaugural Address
- John Quincy Adams
(Friday, March 4, 1825: Washington, DC)
Or know clintons real last name.
Government answer: Freed the slaves...
Turth: It did not free a single slave; it was part of an overarching military strategy to cause more unrest in the South. It applied only to states that had seceded from the Union, leaving slavery untouched in the loyal border states. It also expressly exempted parts of the Confederacy that had already come under Northern control. Most important, the freedom it promised to the slaves was only offered upon Union military victory.
LOL
That happens alot on this test.
No oath, no citizenship.
Just making sure they know the mission of the U.N. is to establish a One-World Order and neutralize the United States.
They are testing the test.
Uh, I studied history in college and a) someone above is correct in postulating as to whether a college grad could past this test and b)real testing is social sciences at a college level is always an essay option if the instructor is sincere. Multiple choice in history is a joke and if someone wants to become a citizen they should have a concept of the functionality of both American government and society. Simply asking where the capital is or similar trivia is pretty much begging the uninterested to forget their lessons, but a more difficult exam will help to better instill a sense of what it is to be an American.
"But understand that my client must become a citizen before she qualifies for the panoply of welfare benefits available to United States citizens. It is grossly unfair to ask her to spell: `US'."
Stan the immigration lawyer/Best Buy salesman
Not true. If she has an "anchor baby" the baby qualifies for ALL benefits. Therefore the illegal alien benefits too.
2/3 of Congress couldn't pass those questions. Nearly 3/4 of the judiciary as well...
Further it was written by Lincoln and issued under the concept (conceit?) of wartime powers as an Executive Order. The Cabinet never voted until after its issuance and it never to the best of my knowledge received any legislative blessing.
Interesting... thanks for the info. I was interested in examining how Executive Orders began and how they got to the point they are today (substitutes for the amendment ratification process). If the justification is "emergency powers" then they should be of defined duration (two years, for example) and then expire.
By the way, the Cabinet never "voted." My mistake. Lincoln asked for comments and it (the Proclamation) went out the door before they again met.
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