Citizenship and the English Language: A Pragmatic Perspective

BY RACHAEL KOPYLOV

Citizenship is the common thread that connects all Americans. We are a nation bound not by race or religion, but by the shared values of freedom, liberty, and equality,” declares the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). While these “shared values” are meant to unite Americans across background and country of origin, their interpretation is often mired in ideological debate. Instead, a functional immigration process should set practical standards to determine who is eligible to participate in American civic life; one of these standards must be basic English proficiency. This is a pragmatic policy that will strengthen civic participation and serve both the nation and its newest citizens.

Section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) was passed in 1952. It set the core English and civics requirements for naturalization, mandating that applicants must demonstrate the ability to read, write, and speak basic English, and possess knowledge of U.S. history and government, all tested through a naturalization exam. This exam was intended to ensure that new citizens can function independently and meaningfully participate in society just as just as American-born citizens do.

This active participation in civic life is at the core of citizenship itself. When someone becomes a citizen, they assume the responsibility and privilege to vote, interact with the legal system, and engage in public discourse. These responsibilities depend on a citizen’s ability to understand and communicate with the institutions that govern them. Ballots, jury instructions, court notices, and other governmental communications are mainly recorded in English, making proficiency a practical necessity rather than a symbolic identity marker. Without the ability to speak, understand, and read English, citizens struggle to exercise their rights and meet their civic obligations, limiting their capacity to participate in the democratic process meaningfully.

Beyond civic engagement, English skills affect economic success. According to census data, English proficiency and job market success are positively correlated. The degree to which a person can communicate in English influences their ability to find full-time employment. Even among those with full-time jobs, individuals with the highest English proficiency have the highest earnings. Immigrants who can read, write, and speak English can pursue training programs, promotions, and leadership opportunities, while those without these skills often remain in low-wage positions with limited opportunities for advancement. English fluency shapes long-term economic mobility and economic independence—a core tenet of the American Dream.

While English proficiency promotes civic and economic participation, the current naturalization requirements do not effectively assess the critical skills they were intended to measure. Currently, USCIS officers have significant discretion when evaluating speaking and comprehension exams. That means that even if a person can read, write, and speak English well, the interviewer can still deny their application based on subjective judgment. Proficiency is not consistently measured, undermining the effectiveness of the requirement.

Moreover, the exam does not test applicants’ practical skills. Instead, test-takers read and write sentences about American government and history, and verbally respond to questions about their citizenship applications. While these tasks ensure a formal assessment of English, they do not test the competencies one needs to navigate the United States as a citizen. To meet the goals of the English proficiency exam—full social and economic integration—the evaluation should prioritize functional communication skills over rote memorization of terms.

The English language is the practical means by which Americans are bound by their shared values. It is the bridge that allows new citizens to move confidently through American life. While fluency is a high bar that can take years to achieve, proficiency is foundational for meaningful societal participation, and it’s an attainable goal for newcomers. By emphasizing real-world skills and a realistic timeframe for developing proficiency, the English requirement can accomplish its proper aim: to prepare individuals to not merely reside in society, but to engage, contribute, and belong fully to the American project.