English language mandatory for obtaining citizenship through ‘naturalization’: Brandon Gill

WASHINGTON:- Representative Brandon Gill (TX-26) has introduced a bill in the House requiring immigrants applying for citizenship through naturalization to demonstrate basic English language proficiency.

The ‘English Language Proficiency Act,’ introduced on July 16, would eliminate current age-based exemptions from English language requirements and special accommodations provided during the civics test.

Under current law, applicants aged 50 or older who have been lawful permanent residents for at least 20 years, and those aged 55 or older who have been permanent residents for at least 15 years, are exempt from the English language requirement.

Applicants aged 65 or older who have been permanent residents for at least 20 years receive special consideration regarding the civics examination.

This law will mandate that all individuals applying for citizenship, regardless of age, meet the same standards regarding English language proficiency and knowledge of citizenship.

In a post on ‘X’, Gill described English as the “common language that unites American communities.” He argued that prospective American citizens “should speak the language that Americans speak.”

Gill’s bill is co-sponsored by Republican Representatives Randy Fine of Florida, Barry Moore of Alabama, and Beth Van Duyne of Texas. It also has the support of the ‘Immigration Accountability Project’ and ‘ProEnglish’.