The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently proposed changes to the US citizenship test, here is what you need to know! 

What’s the reason for the proposed changes?

In compliance with Executive Order 14012, USCIS reviewed the naturalization test to ensure fair and efficient adjudications, analyzing the test against best practices in the field of testing and taking into consideration stakeholder feedback on barriers to naturalization.

The following changes are proposed to the civics/speaking test: 

• Multiple-choice format
• Updated content 
• Standardize and separate the speaking test from the Form N-400, Application for the Naturalization interview 
• Use picture prompts that will require applicants to describe the picture using simple and phrases.

The following will remain the same:

• The reading test
• The writing test
• Total number of test items to study in 100 
• Passing score is 6 out of 10 
• The Applicants eligible for the 65/20 English language exemption with will have a reduced study bank of 20 items. 

For assistance in starting your citizenship process, visit https://dominicanosusa.org/citizenship-registration/ or give us a call M-F 10 am to 5 pm at (718) 665-0400! 

El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de EE. UU. (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglés) propuso recientemente cambios en la tarifa de naturalización, lo que aumentaría el costo de convertirse en ciudadano estadounidense. El aumento de tarifas propuesto es el primero en más de una década y afectaría a cientos de miles de residentes permanentes legales que actualmente están en proceso de solicitar la ciudadanía estadounidense.

1. La tarifa de naturalización actual es de $725, que incluye el costo de la solicitud y la tarifa biométrica. El aumento de tarifa propuesto elevaría el costo de la naturalización a $760. Este aumento haría que el costo de la naturalización fuera más de $35 más alto de lo que es actualmente.

2. El costo propuesto para la solicitud de tarifa reducida (I-942) disminuirá de $405 a $380, teniendo en cuenta la combinación de la tarifa biométrica.

3. En el examen de ciudadanía, estos son los próximos cambios: Formato de opción múltiple, estandarizar y separar el examen oral del Formulario N-400, Solicitud para la entrevista de naturalización y usar indicaciones con imágenes que requerirán que los solicitantes describan la imagen usando frases simples.

Para obtener ayuda para iniciar su proceso de ciudadanía, visite https://dominicanosusa.org/citizenship-registration/ o llámenos de lunes a viernes de 10:00 am a 5:00 pm al (718) 665-0400.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently proposed changes to the naturalization fee, which would increase the cost of becoming a U.S. citizen. The proposed fee increase is the first in over a decade and would affect hundreds of thousands of legal permanent residents who are currently in the process of applying for U.S. citizenship.

1. The current naturalization fee is $725, which includes the cost of the application and the biometric fee. The proposed fee increase would raise the cost of naturalization to $760. This increase would make the cost of naturalization more than $35 higher than it is currently.

1. The proposed cost for the request for Reduced Fee application (I-942) will decrease from $405 to $380, taking into account the bundling of the biometrics fee.

1. On the citizenship test, these are the upcoming changes: Multiple-choice format, standardize and separate the speaking test from the Form N-400, Application for the Naturalization interview and use picture prompts that will require applicants to describe the picture using simple phrases.

For assistance in starting your citizenship process, visit https://dominicanosusa.org/citizenship-registration/ or give us a call M-F 10 am to 5 pm at (718) 665-0400! 

El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de EE. UU. (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglés) propuso recientemente cambios en el examen de ciudadanía de EE. UU. ¡Esto es lo que necesita saber!

¿Cuál es la razón de los cambios propuestos?

De conformidad con la Orden Ejecutiva 14012, USCIS revisó la prueba de naturalización para garantizar adjudicaciones justas y eficientes, analizando la prueba contra las mejores prácticas en el campo de las pruebas y tomando en consideración los comentarios de las partes interesadas sobre las barreras a la naturalización.

Se proponen los siguientes cambios a la prueba de educación cívica/habla:

• Formato de opción múltiple
• Contenido actualizado
• Estandarizar y separar la prueba de expresión oral del Formulario N-400, Solicitud de entrevista de Naturalización
• Use indicaciones con imágenes que requieran que los solicitantes describan la imagen usando frases simples.

Se mantendrá lo siguiente:

• La prueba de lectura
• La prueba de escritura
• Número total de elementos de prueba para estudiar en 100
• El puntaje de aprobación es 6 de 10
• Los solicitantes elegibles para la exención del idioma inglés 65/20 tendrán un banco de estudio reducido de 20 artículos.

Para obtener ayuda para comenzar su proceso de ciudadanía, visite https://dominicanosusa.org/citizenship-registration/ o llámenos de lunes a viernes de 10:00 am a 5:00 pm al (718) 665-0400.

The current naturalization fee is $725, which includes the cost of the application and the biometric fee. The proposed fee increase would raise the cost of naturalization to $760. This increase would make the cost of naturalization more than $35 higher than it is currently.

The proposed fee increase is a significant concern for many legal permanent residents, as it could make it more difficult for them to afford to become U.S. citizens. The naturalization process can already be a long and costly process, and the proposed fee increase would add an additional financial burden for many families.

The USCIS argues that the proposed fee increase is necessary to cover the costs of providing immigration services. However, many advocates argue that the proposed fee increase is excessive and would disproportionately affect low-income immigrants and families. They are also concerned that the proposed fee increase could deter many legal permanent residents from applying for U.S. citizenship, which would have a negative impact on the integration of immigrants into U.S. society.

The proposed fee increase is currently open for public comment and it is important that individuals and organizations that are concerned about the impact of the proposed fee increase make their voices heard. The comment period is open for 60 days and it is important that individuals and organizations take this opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed fee increase.

In conclusion, the proposed changes to the naturalization fee in the U.S. would greatly increase the cost of becoming a U.S. citizen, which could have a negative impact on low-income immigrants and families. Advocates argue that this increase is excessive and could deter many legal permanent residents from applying for U.S. citizenship, which would have a negative impact on the integration of immigrants into U.S. society. It is important that individuals and organizations take the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed fee increase during the public comment period.

As the proposed changes are not yet implemented, it is important that individuals who are considering applying for U.S. citizenship should do it as soon as possible, before the proposed fee increase goes into effect. This can help to avoid the additional financial burden that the proposed fee increase would bring. So, if you are considering applying for U.S. citizenship, we strongly encourage you to do so as soon as possible.

For assistance in starting your citizenship process, visit https://dominicanosusa.org/citizenship-registration/ or give us a call M-F 10 am to 5 pm at (718) 665-0400!

In an effort to connect the diaspora between Dominicans in the US and the Dominican Republic, Dominicanos USA 

(DUSA), el Instituto de Dominicanos en el Exterior (Index), el Banco BHD Leon and various partners came together to celebrate the second year of our Immersive Fair on Video Game Technology. DUSA, a non-pro

fit organization, has focused on the civic, social and economic engagement of the Dominican-American community and represents the first cooperation and investment between citizens from both countries. DUSA takes a vital role in representing a successful diaspora, composed of over 2 million Quisqueyanos in the United States. 

The Immersive Fair event, which was held simultaneously in NYC and Santiago in the Dominican Republic, had prominent figures like Oscar Romero (CIO of the NYC Civic Engagement Commission), Dr. Héctor R. Cordero-Guzmán (President of the City University of New York Research Foundation), Janet Peguero (Vice-President of the Bronx Borough) and Lori Bajorek (President of the National Association of Electronic Sports) hold panels and exhibitions on the Technology and Video Game sectors and avenues to integrate our communities into these spaces. On top of incredible speakers, we had the presence of some of the most prestigious academies in video game programming, augmented reality and e-sports development graciously announce complete scholarships for various programs to support the national codevelopment and incentivize young Dominicans to learn more about technology and the jobs of the future. 

This fair is part of an innovative strategy to connect the Dominican diaspora from second and third generation with one of the largest growing economic sectors surpassing both the music and movie industries. With this in mind, the extension of the Technology and Video Game ecosystem is a necessary focus for young Dominicans in the Caribbean and the exterior.