User:Toth7/sandbox

Testing editing of article

History
The Basic Naturalization Act, passed by Congress on June 29, 1906, established the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization, which oversaw national standardization of citizenship procedures. Prior to the 1906 law, naturalization was under the jurisdiction of the courts (municipal, county, state, or federal), where petitioners could go to the most convenient location and procedures varied. Because there was no explicit requirement to administer a test on American civics as part of the naturalization process, testing was left to the judge's discretion.

During the Bureau of Naturalization's early years of operation, concerns were raised about immigrants being denied citizenship due to a lack of knowledge of American civics and history, so the bureau established education programs to combat the problem, but no standardized test or testing procedure was developed. As a result, courts continued to administer tests with no specific list of questions. The history of the test questions is difficult to document as they were given orally and were usually impromptu.

In an effort to reduce immigration, congress passed the Immigration Act of 1917. This act added a literacy test for ages 16 and above. The literacy test required one to have basic reading comprehension in any language. The modern day literacy test is similar, but it requires most to read, write, and be able to speak partial english. There are a few exceptions to this rule (See accomodations/English language exemption((link to section if possible?)))

* use this? It kinda feels like a tangent unless it can be spun off into something that relates back to the civics test* (This act also limited the immigration of people located within the "Asiatic Barred Zone", a zone consisting of many Asian countries. This would pave the way for the Immigration Act of 1924, which set quotas on the number of immigrants allowed into the United States per country. Congress would go onto reverse this act in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. )

Reforms were implemented in 1933 by the newly consolidated Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Rather than memorizing simple trivial facts, changes were made to ensure that test takers had a meaningful understanding of US history and civics. Years later, on March 1, 2003, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) was established and took over all responsibility for immigration service functions previously managed by the INF. Following a thorough investigation, it was discovered that the INS lacked standard test content, instruments, protocols, and even a scoring system for the naturalization process. Although the INS began combating these issues in 2001, the Department of Homeland Security suggested reforms to the citizenship test procedures under the newly established USCIS in 2005. The current version of the civics exam became a requirement of the naturalization process on October 1, 2008.

USCIS Helpful Tools
USCIS provides free study materials which includes sample test question of both the 2020 and 2008 civics test version, although the 2008 version is in use within interviews. The agency is currently exploring ways to revamp the civics test, with the help of national engagements for feedback and comments on the proposed changes. The test will go through a trial phase for about five months in 2023. In the meantime, applicants preparing for the civics test should study the questions in accordance with the current policy applicable to their application case.

USCIS has free information seminars held online and in person. These are open to anyone who is interested, and are offered in different languages. Citizenship classes are held for immigrants looking to naturalize. Legal assistance is available to those who seek advice. The USCIS also funds certain groups who help immigrants naturalize. Low cost services are available by state.