WashingtonThe federal government is disclosing draft questions it plans to try out on immigrants applying to become US citizens in hopes of making the citizenship test more meaningful.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, a division of the homeland security department, planned to post 144 questions it will be testing in 10 cities on its website on Thursday afternoon.
The agency provided a sneak preview on Wednesday. Applicants taking the test would need to know that President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, issued during the US civil war more than 140 years ago, freed black slaves in the rebellious Southern states.
But in a couple of years, that knowledge will not be enough. A prospective citizen will need a deeper understanding of the civil war and have to name one of the problems that led to it.
Citizenship and Immigra tion Service has been working to redesign the test for several years. A 2003 attempt also was given a tryout in some cities, failed and was scuttled.
Answers to the question about causes of the civil war could include slavery, economics or states’ rights, said Chris Rhatigan, an agency spokesperson.
Ms Rhatigan provided examples of the test questions to The Associated Press. The questions to be released will be for the civics portion of the test and will be given orally to immigrants who volunteer to take the new draft test.
The redesign is aimed at making sure applicants know the meaning behind some of America’s fundamental institutions, Ms Rhatigan said. “There’s not one, rote —Question and answer,” she said.
The questions will go into use in 10 pilot cities before advocacy groups get a chance to point out problems.
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