Citizenship Requirements
The United States naturalization requirement that requires the new immigrants to be proficient in basic spoken and written English denies aged new immigrants their chance of becoming United States citizens. Some leaders in the United States argue that the requirement of being proficient in basic English denies many aged immigrants the chance of becoming American citizens because not all aged immigrants who have skills in communicating in English. Other leaders support this naturalization requirement by claiming that all new immigrants should be proficient in English to avoid division in the country. The aged immigrants should be allowed to become United States Citizens without undergoing the English proficiency test.
Having a common language in a country is a symbol of national unity. Common language promotes peace and order during national congregations. Becoming a United States citizen without skills in speaking and writing basic English causes the division of the country. However, some elderly immigrants who cannot easily learn speaking in basic English should be allowed to become United States citizen without English proficiency test. Aged people have reduced brain capacity, and learning a new language is a major challenge to the old people (Cook, 2016). Therefore, English proficiency test should only be carried out to new immigrants who are aged sixty years and below. Immigrants aged Sixty years and above should be allowed to become United States citizens without undergoing an English proficiency test.
In summary, a debate exists among the United States members on whether all new immigrants should be proficient in basic English regardless of the age of the new immigrants. Aged immigrants who do not have skills in basic English cannot learn English because of their diminished low brain capacity. Common language promotes peace in the country. English proficiency test should be carried to young new immigrants only. New immigrants aged sixty years and above should be given a chance to become United States citizens without English proficiency test.