Miami-Dade offers preparation for the U.S. citizenship test

The Miami-Dade school district recently began the fall semester for adults, which includes English classes and preparation for those immigrants interested in taking the citizenship exam.

In an effort to prepare residents for the United States naturalization exam, the public schools in the county offer courses designed not only to teach reading and writing in English but also to familiarize students with the vocabulary and responses needed to pass the citizenship interview.

Miguel Veloso, director of the adult education center at Miami Springs Senior High, told Telemundo 51 that these programs allow students to "feel that they have made progress and that they can achieve it."

Veloso explained that, so far, the questions on the exam have not been changed, so the reading and writing sections remain the same.

However, experts agree that the interview could be more stringent due to the additional discretion granted to immigration officials.

The classes offered by the school district cost $75 and are scheduled during the evenings and on weekends, with availability still for new students.

In addition to academic preparation, the courses guide applicants through the citizenship application process. This is particularly relevant following recent changes in the naturalization process, which have reinstated the practice of "neighborhood verifications".

Now immigration officials will assess the moral character of applicants through interviews with neighbors, employers, and close contacts to verify aspects such as moral conduct, adherence to the Constitution, and willingness to contribute to the "good order and happiness" of the country.

National context and changes in migration policy

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced that it will tighten the citizenship exam, as part of new adjustments to the naturalization process by the current administration.

The director of the agency, Joseph Edlow, has pointed out that the current exam "is not very difficult" and that memorizing the answers does not adequately reflect the spirit of the law.

During his term, former President Joe Biden simplified the test by reducing the number of questions and adopting a less demanding format than the one introduced by the Trump administration in 2020.

But now Edlow asserts that his intention is to return to a more rigorous format, similar to the previous one, in which immigrants must demonstrate a deeper understanding of the history, political structure, and civic values of the United States.

These modifications are part of a more restrictive immigration policy, which also includes changes to the selection of H-1B work visas and the handling of asylum cases.

According to experts, the combination of local classes and the updating of national rules reflects the need for applicants to prepare in advance and with educational support to meet the new standards of the naturalization process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Preparing for the Citizenship Exam in Miami-Dade