It is very difficult to keep up with all the controversies that are flying around concerning the government these days — especially at the federal level. None seems to be more challenging than the immigration issue. This is not referring to illegal (or the politically correct word, ‘undocumented’) immigrants, but those who are actually filing for citizenship. The magnitude of the problem can best be summed up by recognizing that there were 1,596,193 pending cases with the US Immigration Court system at the end of December. To put this in perspective, the highest number before this was in the June-August 2019 time period under the Trump Administration when it approached 100,000. Another way to look at it would be that if every immigrant currently trying to legally become a citizen in the United States were accepted, it would surpass the population of the sixth-largest city in the United States, Philadelphia.
But hey, how about we test everyone in America to see if they would pass a citizenship test? Actually, I would settle if every member of the US Congress would see if they could pass the test, but since we’re here, let’s have a go at it. Here are ten questions from the 100 questions that could be asked on the US Citizenship Test. I will skip the history and geography questions — which are interesting — but rather focus on the civics questions. Try not to peek at the answers that follow the questions — Big Brother is watching you! Here goes:
– What is the supreme law of the land?
– The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are those words?
– What is “rule of law?”
– What are the two parts of the US Congress?
– Who is one of your state’s US Senators now?
– We elect a US Representative for how many years?
– What are two Cabinet-level officials?
– Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
– What does the judicial branch do?
– What is one right that is only for United States citizens?
Little rougher than you thought it would be? I have tutored some folks over the years on this test and find that reviewing these questions helps better understand what it means to be an American. Unlike other countries all around the world that are deeply rooted in their ancestral population, our country is quite different. We were the ‘melting pot’ that the Statue of Liberty welcomed with the words, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” But, this required these very, very diverse people groups to merge their interests into one, as engraved on our coins, “e Pluribus Unum,” out of many, one.
What makes us one? That is the answer to question 1 – our Constitution. Where does this government come from is the answer to question 2 – “we the people.” What does it mean to be governed by “rule of law?” The answer to question 3 – essentially, no one is above the law; it applies to all.
What does our federal government look like? The answer to question 4 is the US Senate and the US House of Representatives. In answer to question 5, Pennsylvania’s US Senators are Pat Toomey and Bob Casey. (Note: Toomey is not running for reelection this year). In answer to question 6, our US Congressmen serve two-year terms. (Our Founding Fathers thought this would cause more turnover in this branch of government — they were very wrong on that prediction!).
On the Executive side of government, the answer to question 7 is a long one, in alphabetical order: Secretary of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, Veterans Affairs as well as the Attorney General and the Vice President.
The answer to question 8 is the President of the United States; for question 9 concerning the Supreme Court, they essentially review or explain laws, settle disputes or disagreements in the law, or declare them going against the US Constitution.
And finally, the last question on one right that is only for US citizens — to run for federal office or vote in a federal election. This is one right I hope everyone remembers in the upcoming primary on May 17th and the general election on November 8th.
Want to see the whole test? Go to https://uscisquestions.com.
