From the Chicago Dispatcher, November 2007
Immigration Reform
Changes are in store for those wishing to become U.S. citizens
By: Dan Dineen
The process for becoming a naturalized citizen has been a two-fold procedure since 1986: file the application for naturalization (N-400 form) with the processing fee, and pass an interview that includes a test of basic English and a citizenship exam.
Changes in the test
On September 27, 2007 the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released the changes to the citizenship exam, a part of the process to become a naturalized American citizen.
The new exam, which has been under construction since 2000, will emphasize civics: the Constitution, federal and state powers, basic U.S. history and the rights and responsibility of citizens. The changes to the test make the questions more analytical and less trivia-based. For example, the question: “What country did we fight during the Revolutionary War?” has been replaced with: “Why did the colonists fight the British?”
The USCIS stated that the revisions will, “help encourage citizenship applicants to learn and identify with the basic values we all share as Americans.”
The revisions are the first since the creation of the test in 1986.
Immigration advocacy groups oppose the amendments to the naturalization test. “The current test is fine,” said citizenship specialist Luvia Quinones of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). “By changing the exam, they are creating more barriers to citizenship.”
Quinones said that the educational deficit between native and foreign-born residents makes it more difficult for foreign-born applicants to pass. In 2005, 10.9 percent of the native-born population had not completed the 12th grade, compared to 30.2 percent of the foreign-born population.
The reforms come on the heels of rate hikes in July, which increased the price of going through the naturalization process from $400 to $675. For a family of five, this would increase the amount of money spent on naturalization by $1,375.
The USCIS is a bureau of the Department of Homeland Security funded almost entirely by user fees. As such, it operates with near autonomy. A statement released by the bureau said that the previous fees were inadequate to cover operating costs. The fees last changed in October 2005.
The changes on the naturalization test will take effect October 1, 2008. Individuals who apply and take the test before that date will take the current test. Individuals who apply before October 1, but will take the test after can choose which test to take. Anyone who applies after October 1 will have to take the new test.
Green card renewal
Anyone issued a Permanent Residence Card or “green card” between 1979 and 1989 will have to renew their certificate.
All cards issued before 1989 were considered permanent. The cards issued after had a 10-year expiration. The USCIS has stated that the re-registration is intended to, “update cardholder information, conduct background checks and electronically store applicant's fingerprint and photographic information.”
On October 24, at their headquarters at 55 East Jackson, ICIRR director Karla Avila encouraged green card holders affected by the policy change to apply for citizenship.
“After these years living and contributing to this country, they should have all the rights that citizenship entitles.” Permanent residents cannot vote, hold federal jobs, and may be deported if convicted of a crime.
This change in policy, set for an unspecified time in 2008, will effect between 750,000 and 1.9 million permanent residents who registered for green cards in this time.
Individuals will have 120 days to file for a new green card once the date for the proposal is given. The renewal of a green card costs $370.
Citizenship workshops
Anyone is eligible for naturalization if they have been legal, full-time residents for four years and nine months-two years and nine months if married to a U.S. citizen-and have no criminal record. Those pursuing citizenship must file the 10-page N-400 form for adults or the N-600 for anyone under the age of 18.
Many organizations exist to serve the 1,696,000 immigrants of Illinois, only 736,000 of which are naturalized citizens. These organizations offer help with the naturalization forms, civics classes and pro-bono legal advice in many languages. The following is an abridged list of events sponsored by the ICIRR. For a complete list, as well as more information, visit their Web site: www.becomeacitizennow.org.
Chicago Southside
November 3
9 a.m. - Noon
West Side Tech
2800 S. Western Ave
(773) 521-0055
Chicago Northside
November 10
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Nicholas Senn High School
5900 N. Glenwood Ave., Room 115
(773) 973-4444 x 103
Chicago Northside
November 17
9 a.m. - Noon
Nuestra Senora de las Americas
2610 N. Francisco Ave.
(312) 432-2250
Des Plaines
November 17
9 a.m. - Noon
Merryville (El Cerrito)
1150 N River Rd.
(312) 673-3245
Waukegan
November 17
9 a.m. - Noon
Holy Family Immigrant Center
510 10th St.
(847) 775-0858
Westmont
November 17
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Chinese Mutual Aid Association
665 Pasquinelli Dr., Ste. 202
(630) 455-0064
