House Republican Rep. Randy Fine said he will introduce legislation that would require all parts of the U.S. naturalization test to be taken exclusively in English, closing an existing exception that allows some applicants to use interpreters for the civics portion.
Under current practice, most elements of the citizenship exam are administered in English, but the civics test — in which an applicant is asked 10 questions drawn from a 100-question pool on U.S. history and government — can be taken in other languages if certain statutory criteria are met. Those exemptions apply to applicants who are 50 or older and have been U.S. lawful permanent residents for at least 20 years, and to applicants who are 55 or older and have been permanent residents for at least 15 years; both groups are required to bring an interpreter fluent in English and the applicant's native language.
"The fact that U.S. citizenship applicants can currently use an interpreter to take the naturalization test undermines the idea of assimilation into American culture," Fine, R-Fla., said. "If you want to live in an English-speaking country, you should be able to speak English, period. My bill will require all applicants to take the naturalization test exclusively in English, because both metaphorically and literally, everyone who enters our country with the intent of staying should speak our language."
Fine's proposal, which he identified as a House Republican initiative, would remove the existing statutory exceptions that allow the civics test to be delivered in languages other than English for qualifying long-term older permanent residents. The change would not affect other naturalization requirements but would alter the language accommodations available during the exam.
Advocates for immigrants and language-access groups are expected to oppose the measure, arguing that it would create additional barriers for lawful permanent residents who have lived in the United States for many years but have limited English proficiency. The bill's introduction follows President Donald Trump's March executive order declaring English the nation's official language, the first such designation in U.S. history.
Legislation to change test administration would need to move through committee and be passed by the House and Senate before reaching the president. Sponsors and supporters of the proposal have framed the move as an effort to encourage assimilation and ensure that new citizens can participate fully in civic life, while opponents say it could disproportionately affect older immigrants who have longstanding ties to their communities but limited opportunities to learn English.
The naturalization exam has long combined language and civics components; applicants must demonstrate an ability to read, write and speak basic English as well as knowledge of U.S. government and history, though statutory exemptions have allowed limited exceptions for age and time as a permanent resident. Fine's bill would eliminate those language exceptions for the civics portion and require the entire test be conducted in English if enacted.
