Yes, you do have to know English to become a U.S. citizen. Except sometimes you don’t.

April 3rd, 2008 at 03:46pm Chuck Sweeny

Just had a phone conversation with a fellow who is frustrated about illegal immigration. He had a question I couldn’t answer: Do you have to speak English to become an American citizen? I asked Rich Carter, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, R-Egan.

Turns out the answer is yes. And no. Here’s Rich’s answer: Yes. They have to take a test in American government/history/civics that is written in English. They must answer in English.
There are a few exceptions:

If you are over 55 years old and been a Permanent Resident (a legal green card holder) for 15 years, you can take the civics test in the language of your choice.

• If you are over 50, and a permanent resident for at least 20 years, you can take the test in the language of choice.
• If you are over 65 and lived as a permanent resident for at least 20 years, you can take a simplified civics test in the language of your choice.

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