No hablo Ingles

Lots of immigration action on the Senate floor yesterday, including this amendment submitted by Ken Salazar (D-CO) to ammend the immigration bill to include English as the country's national language and some redesign of the citizenship test.

From the Congressional Record (links to key documents provided by me):

SA 4067. Mr. SALAZAR submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2611, to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: §161. Declaration of English

English is the common language of the United States that helps provide unity for the people of the United States. §162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the national language

The Government of the United States shall preserve and enhance the role of English as the national language of America. Unless otherwise authorized or provided for by law, no person has a legal entitlement to services authorized or provided for by the Federal Government in any language other than English.

(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.--A The table of chapters for title 4, United States Code, is amended by adding at the Language of the Government of the United States.

Section 767. Requirements for Naturalization

(a) FINDINGS.--The Senate makes the following findings:

a. Under United States law (8 USC 1423 (a)), lawful permanent residents of the United States who have immigrated from foreign countries must, among other requirements, demonstrate an understanding of the English language, United States history and Government, to become citizens of the United States.

b. The Department of Homeland Security is currently conducting a review of the testing process used to ensure prospective United States citizens demonstrate said knowledge of the English language and United States history and government for the purpose of redesigning said test.

(b) DEFINITIONS.--for purposes of this section only, the following words are defined:

(1) KEY DOCUMENTS.--The term `key documents' means the documents that established or explained the foundational principles of democracy in the United States, including the United States Constitution and the amendments to the Constitution (particularly the bill of rights) Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers, and the Emancipation Proclamation.

(2) KEY EVENTS.--The term `key events' means the critical turning points in the history of the United States (including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the world wars of the twentieth century, the civil rights movement, and the major court decisions and legislation) that contributed to extending the promise of democracy in American life.

(3) KEY IDEAS.--The term `key ideas' means the ideas that shaped the democratic institutions and heritage of the United States, including the notion of equal justice under the law, freedom, individualism, human rights, and a belief in progress.

(4) KEY PERSONS.--The term `key persons' means the men and women who led the United States as founding fathers, elected officials, scientists, inventors, pioneers, advocates of equal rights, entrepreneurs, and artists.

(c) GOALS FOR CITIZENSHIP TEST REDESIGN.--The Department of Homeland Security shall establish as goals of the testing process designed to comply with provisions of [8 USC 1423 (a)] that prospective citizens:

a. demonstrate a sufficient understanding of the English language for usage in everyday life;

b. demonstrate an understanding of American common values and traditions, including the principles of the Constitution of the United States, the Pledge of Allegiance, respect for the flag of the United States, the National Anthem, and voting in public elections;

c. demonstrate an understanding of the history of the United States, including the key events, key persons, key ideas, and key documents that shaped the institutions and democratic heritage of the United States; and

d. demonstrate an attachment to the principles of the Constitution of the United States and the well being and happiness of the people of the United States; and

e. demonstrate an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States.

(d) IMPLEMENTATION.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall implement changes to the testing process designed to ensure compliance with [8 U.S.C. 1423(a)] not later than January 1, 2008.