-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revised U.S. Naturalization Test To Focus on Civic Values, History
Goal is to promote attachment to country, political cohesion, official says) By Lauren Monsen Washington File Staff Writer Washington -- A redesigned naturalization test for immigrants who wish to become U.S. citizens will be in use by the end of January 2007, says Alfonso Aguilar, chief of the Office of Citizenship at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). At a December 6 press briefing, Aguilar told reporters that USCIS --which is part of the Department of Homeland Security -- regards the redesign effort as "an important part of our overall objective to promote the civic integration of immigrants." By eliminating test elements that were criticized as trivial,andinserting"moremeaningful,substantive,concept-oriented" elements, the redesigned naturalization test will help promote the Americanization of immigrants, he explained. "We see the redesigned test as a fundamental tool in the naturalization process, as an instrument to promote civic learning and patriotism," he said. Although the new test will be "very different from other tests most people are familiar with," immigrants need not worry that it will present a steep barrier to citizenship, said Aguilar, explaining the intent of the test is not to compare the knowledge of one applicant to another, but rather to require applicants learn the fundamentals of U.S history and government. His agency will do all it can to help immigrants successfully prepare for the test, Aguilar said. "To assist those studying for the test, our office is ... committed to creating a variety of materials for self-study,classroom materials, and teacher-training programs to ensure that every opportunity is provided to those lawful permanent residents wanting to become U.S. citizens," he said. At the same time, it should be clearly understood that "we're not going to give away citizenship," said Aguilar. "We're not going to naturalize people" without attempting to determine whether they meet certain basic requirements for that privilege. But "the overriding policy goal of this effort is to ensure the integration of new citizens into our civic culture," he reiterated. In addition to promoting an attachment to the United States, its Constitution, and its system of government, the redesigned citizenship test will "encourage a sense of civic responsibility and participation," Aguilar said. "There will be an emphasis on citizens' rights and responsibilities." The new test will probably be more standardized than previous versions, as well. In developing the new exam, the agency is attempting to establish "some general guidelines to level the playing field, so that it's not more difficult to take the test" in one location rather than another, said Aguilar. For this reason, "we're going to make sure that applicants know what the test format is ahead of time" -- whether it's a question-and-answer test, an essay test, or a multiple-choice exam, said Aguilar. "Currently, test formats vary from locale to locale." It is important to recognize that "the level of difficulty is not the issue" in developing a new test, he said. "The redesigned test should encourage civic learning, patriotism, and attachment" to the United States. Aguilar noted a growing worldwide interest in the idea of promoting common civic values to help immigrants assimilate into their new societies. "Other countries are looking at what we do," and some are adopting similar measures that help reinforce their own civic culture, he pointed out. The United Kingdom "began holding naturalization ceremonies two years ago, as we have always done," he said. We do this for a reason," because the successful absorption of new citizens helps ensure the vitality of U.S. democracy. (The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site:http://usinfo.state.gov) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- * G * O * A * N * E * T *** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Spread the Christmas cheer - even when you're not here! Send Christmas Greetings to your loved ones in Goa. 2005 Christmas Package - Flowers, Bubbles and Layers of Love. http://www.goa-world.com/expressions/xmas/ -----------------------------------------------------------------------
