Washington, D.C., USA: Indian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said that a majority of Americans would likely fail the U.S. naturalization test, stating that lawful immigrants are being unfairly singled out even after fulfilling strict requirements to become citizens.
She shared her personal 17 year journey to U.S. citizenship while sharply criticizing Donald Trump for what she described as efforts to target legal immigrants and make citizenship harder to obtain.
Jayapal, a naturalized U.S. citizen and ranking member of the House Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, said she was required to clear exams that many native born Americans would struggle to pass. “I went through tests that most Americans would fail,” she said.
Pointing to the gap between the high standards set for immigrants and the limited civic knowledge among many citizens, she added that if the naturalization exam were given broadly, most people would not qualify. She said the process demands serious preparation and commitment.
Recalling her own experience, Jayapal said it took her 17 years to finally become a U.S. citizen. She described the journey as long and challenging, involving extensive study, legal paperwork, fees, background checks, and a strong sense of responsibility toward earning citizenship.
She also explained that immigrants from countries like India are generally not allowed to hold dual citizenship, meaning they must formally give up their original nationality when taking the U.S. oath. Jayapal said immigrants do this willingly, viewing American citizenship as both an honor and a privilege.
In a post on X, she described the current administration’s immigration approach as deeply unfair. She accused Trump of weakening the legal immigration system and penalizing those attempting to become citizens through lawful means.
Jayapal said it is painful for many naturalized Americans to see differences being made between native born and naturalized citizens, creating a sense that constitutional rights and protections are not applied equally.
Her comments come at a time when immigration and citizenship policies have once again taken center stage in national politics. Democrats and immigrant rights groups warn that stricter enforcement, changes to legal immigration rules, and added scrutiny of naturalized citizens are fueling fear and uncertainty across immigrant communities.
