Is it fair for a US citizenship applicant be given an interviewer who speaks their native language?

Question

I was at the INS interview when the person behind me was called in first. I asked them why and they said because she only spoke spanish so she is going to an interviewer who spoke spanish too.

To everyone, I'm not saying it is or is not fair. That's why I'm asking what you think.
FYI. I was not asked if I needed a translator.

Answer 1

No, it's not fair. Anybody who wants to become a United States Citizen should be required to speak the language: ENGLISH!!!
I was required not only to speak but also to write in English when I became a citizen !!!
In order to become a Citizen of the United States you have to be in this country for 5 years...if you can't speak English in 5 years........well, you are not making an effort, or you don't care, you have a learning dissability....in any case, what are you here for ???
Do you think if you would like to become a Citizen of China, Turkey, Mexico, etc......they would give you their Citizenship Test in YOUR native language????
ONLY IN AMERICA !!!!

Answer 2

I figure it's quite fair. I don't like people who say "if you don't speak our language, stay in your own country", because it just shows how narrow-minded some Americans can be (if the shoe fits, put it on).

In my opinion, there are many reasons to require citizenship of a country, and language is not the first one. Because you are not fluent in the language enough to have your interview in English doesn't mean you're not trying to learn, or willing to learn.

Also, thumbs up to all those who said that the US do NOT have an official language. It doesn't. If you're so worried about other languages taking over, make language laws, and quit whining. In my book, a country without an official language logistically cannot refuse citizenship based on language.

Answer 3

You may think is not fair cause you were not the one with the interviewer that speaks your native language. Depending on age and time spend as resident from the US, you can take the test in your native language. So is not unfair, is something that they just won because they comply with law for 15 or 20 years, and they are over 50 or 55 years of age.

Answer 4

Think about this: What if in 1492 nobody spoke any language of the native tribes of the maritime coast line? Maybe, they should have been slaughtered and/or driven back like the Vikings of Norway or Denmark had been centuries earlier. The natives of their day were justified in defending their borders without prior knowledge of the Vikings' pilaging & plundering of Western European countries. Acts today which would be seen as terroristic in nature by the Vikings countered by defenses that are labeled Patriotic by the natives of the day.

Answer 5

There is NO official language in the United States. "Fair" is always a relevant term. Is it fair that farmers in Arizona have to put up with long dry spells? Is it fair that seaside dwellers in Oregon can't lay out all day on the beach and get a tan? Is it fair that college professors in Utah are paid below the national average for their field?

Answer 6

of course it's fair. after all, the US has no official language, so why shouldn't the interview be available in other languages other than English? btw, don't you know that many Americans speak Spanish these days?

Answer 7

I guess that would depend on if speaking fluent english is a requirement of citizenship.

Answer 8

My wife didn't get one who spoke her language, we had to bring an independent (other than me) translator. Guess it depends what city you're in, we're in san francisco.

Answer 9

No I think they should learn to speak the lanuage of the country they are seeking citizinship from.

Answer 10

I dont' see how it would be unfair. I would think it would be unfair if they couldn't speak to someone who spoke their own langauge.