Who knew that the US Citizen Exam would be oral...And only FOUR questions?

[JanMichael]

No? Neither did I but apparently in Florida it is.

Just got first hand confirmation from a friend that passed the test a couple of weeks ago.

Question 1: Who is the Guv' of Florida?

#2: What is the capital of Florida?

#3: What body of goverment makes/passes Law in America?

#4 was equally inane.

This guy studied a list of 75-100 questions for weeks prior to the exam, hell he knows more about revisionist US history than I do because the time he spent preparing for the test. Yet 4 oral questions did it:shrug:

Oh, I forgot, he's a Pakistani immigrant that works with several other middle east nationals...



PS~ We're playing tennis once my foot heals so I LIKE the guy, I just want to point out that the citizenship test is only four simple questions in Florida, now, even after the whole WTC thing. He was the one that expressed his shock at the ease of testing...

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

1. both Republicans and Democrats favor an easy immigration policy

Sure, the GOP uses anti-immigration and racism to rile up it's base, but it doesn't want to stop it, the WSJ editorial page gives the "responsible" Libertarian/Republican line. Cheap labor and all.

Obviously Bush doesn't give a damn about national security.

[Paschall]

8. Excuse me

But what does your remark about national security have to do with immigration policy?

And the subject of the original post is not immigration, but specifically naturalization. A different ball of wax.

[Cleita]

2. It's always been like that.

Sometimes they don't ask anything at all. It depends on the mood of the person doing the questioning. My husband, a naturalized citizen, knows more about American history and government than I do because he took a class for immigrants to pass his citizenship tests. I wish we had had those same teachers in high school.

[Lisa0825]

3. I wonder what it is like in Texas?

I am an ESL tutor, and my student is the SWEETEST old guy. He has lived here for like 40 years, but wants to be able to vote, so he has been studying english and citizenship. He really works hard at it. I'd love to be able to tell him to just take the test, because he's more than ready if it's that easy.

[JanMichael]

4. I don't know why different states would treat this issue differently?

I'm normally not a big supporter of standardization but for this I'd expect that it would be pretty much Federalized.

It ought to be the same.

[xxqqqzme]

5. I don't think

the state matters. I had a friend similarly astounded when he took the test. Gov of CA? Capital of CA...when he walked out he was in shock. He too had studied and was nervous, stressed. Boom 4 stupid questions...all over. He was equally perplexed @ his oath ceremony...he tried to talk 2 the guy next 2 him & the guy couldn't understand or speak English. One of the citizenship requirements is a 'working' knowledge of English.

[Lisa0825]

6. Everything I have read....

says that the test here is written, but I don't know anyone who has taken it. His practice tests and study guides are VERY detailed, with dates of wars, line of succession, the civil rights movement, etc. Also, lots of state government questions, which is why I wondered if it varied much by state. The study guides include questions on current elected officials, number of counties in Texas, the capital, date it became a state, etc.

[JanMichael]

7. That's what made me post this! Three weeks ago this guy was frazzled!

He corraled me to help him decipher obscure questions at 1 in the morning. I made every effort to help him.

Needless to say he had very specific questions given to him to study, like you mention, yet he got the "You speak English? Ok, here's four questions..."...

I'm at a loss on this one.

[Paschall]

10. This is why I said this is offensive

The naturalization procedure itself is so complex and long, and involves such an investment in time, money, and determination, that putting this ridiculous hurdle up merely forces candidates to cram frantically so they can regurgitate facts about the US. Just plain DUMB.

[Paschall]

9. I find the idea of testing rather offensive

I know that folks going through naturalization in France aren't tested on anything. Though there are long personal interviews, on any and all subjects (basically a conversation with interviewer), which are designed primarily to evaluate the candidate's mastery of French and his potential for integrating into French society.

Not a single question on French history, government or politics. And nothing of the kind mandatory.