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Fretz on Language Requirement Myth
By R. Matthew FretzFor Immediate Release
August 10, 2006
Contact: R. Matthew Fretz - rmfretz@rmfretz.com
Ramsey - Independent Candidate R. Matthew Fretz released the following statement regarding Representative Scott Garrett's assertion, and subsequent supporter reiteration, that all naturalized citizens must have an understanding of English.
"To restore our faith in elected officials, our elected officials must speak the truth on our behalf. By stating all naturalized citizens must have an understanding of the English language in order to become citizens, Representative Garrett was misrepresenting the law in justifying his vote against renewal of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. After seeing Garrett supporters perpetuating this misrepresentation, I feel obligated to dispel the myth.
On page 99 of "Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants" (published in 11 languages), exceptions to taking the English language proficiency test and the English version of the civics test are outlined. The exemptions are based on age (over 50) and a minimum number of years in permanent residency (15-20 depending on age). For 2005, nearly 26% of all naturalized citizens would have qualified for the age half of the combination. We cannot be certain how many met both criteria, as it is not apparently available on Immigration and Naturalization's website.
We do know in 2005, over 302,000 naturalized citizens were living here legally for more than 8 years before becoming citizens. Of those whose nation of origin is in the North America region (including Central America and the Caribbean), there were more than 90,000 new citizens who had legally lived in the United States for more than 11years.
These citizens have played by the rules, spent years contributing to our economy, and have earned their United States citizenship. Attempting to deprive citizens of their fundamental right to vote when they have never been required to read English is unacceptable. Justifying this effort with a misrepresentation of the truth is unethical.
###
Naturalizations in the United States: 2005
Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants (Page 99,
bottom)
PERSONS NATURALIZED BY GENDER, AGE, MARITAL STATUS, AND OCCUPATION:
FISCAL YEAR 2005
Garrett's misrepresentation(Third column)
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Syndicate
TOTAL BS.. THE LAW FOR LEGAL CITIZENS GREEN CARD= AIDS TEST, T
TOTAL BS..
THE LAW FOR LEGAL CITIZENS
GREEN CARD= AIDS TEST, TB TEST, FINGERPRINTING, INTERVIEW.
LEGAL CITIZENSHIP = WAIT MIN 5 YEARS, FINGERPRINTING AGAIN, BACK ROUND CHECK,
INTERVIEW, EXAM IN ENGLISH
PLUS CIVICS EXAM THEN SWEAR AN OATH IN ENGLISH TO
RENOUNCE " ALL FOREIGN POTENTATES" AND PLEDGE TO TAKE UP ARMS WHEN LAWFULLY REQUIRED TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AGAINS ALL ENEMIES BOTH FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC....
THIS SO CALLED CANDIDATE
SHOULD NOT BE LET WITHIN AN ASS.S ROAR OF PUBLIC OFFICE
I appreciate your taking the time to write. Did you actually lo
I appreciate your taking the time to write. Did you actually look at the source material? Are you saying the INS is wrong?
This is part of the problem we're facing right now. Insults and volume (all caps?) have replaced the truth in many cases. This needs to change. If you're fine with the way things are done now, vote for somebody else.