The Revised Naturalization Exam and Chinese Immigrants in the United States: Key Issues for Social Workers

Abstract

In 2008, the United States government increased the importance of standardized English in the naturalization process. Using semistructured interviews, surveys, and participant observation data, this article explores language barriers to naturalization through a Chinese immigrant community in Southern California. As part of the nation’s fastest-growing racial group in the United States, Chinese immigrants are a significant piece of the immigration and naturalization picture. Recommendations for culturally responsive strategies for social workers are discussed. Since Chinese immigrants tend to underutilize services, social workers may play a central role in assisting immigrants through the naturalization process and thus accessing social services available to citizens.