If you have an upcoming interview with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to obtain United States Citizenship, you need to make sure that you are studying the right materials. On February 22, 2021, USCIS announced it would revert to the 2008 version of the Naturalization Civics Test, beginning on March 1, 2021. USCIS made the seemingly abrupt change after determining that the short-lived 2020 civics test development process, content, testing procedures, and implementation schedule may inadvertently create potential barriers to the naturalization process.
People who filed applications for naturalization December 1, 2020 through March 1, 2021 have probably been studying with materials meant for the 2020 version of the test. Therefore, according to the USCIS’ announcement, people who filed applications for naturalization between December 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021 will have the option to take either the 2020 Naturalization Civics Test, or the 2008 Naturalization Civics Test. People who filed their application for naturalization after March 1, 2021, will take the 2008 version of the Naturalization Civics Test. USCIS has posted study guides to help you prepare for the Naturalization Civics Test which can be found on the Citizenship Resource Center on the USCIS website.
Preparing for your interview to obtain US Citizenship can be stressful and time consuming. For many folks, it is the final step in an arduous and potentially life-changing journey. If you are looking for an attorney to help you prepare and be there for you at your interview, consider calling Borton Petrini, LLP today, to schedule a consultation with one of our seasoned Immigration Lawyers, with convenient locations throughout California.
Chuck Bonneau is an attorney in the Sacramento, California office of Borton Petrini, LLP. He practices in immigration law, family law and criminal law.
Legal Disclaimer: Please be informed that legislation and laws are rapidly developing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the legal analysis that is being provided is based on the analysis of the current legislation and current agency guidance, as it stands at this moment. Additional legislation and/or changes to current legislation may impact the information being given herein. This article is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice, nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.