A woman who cannot read and write, became a citizen of the United States

A woman who cannot read and write, became a citizen of the United States

A resident of southern California, a native of Mexico Jovita Mendez does not speak English. In addition, she does not know how to read and write even in Spanish. But she achieved her goal, becoming a U.S. citizen.

«I never thought I could do it,» admitted the woman in an interview with NBC. «But my children said I should do this for yourself, for them, for a better future.»

A woman who cannot read and write, became a citizen of the United States

Mexican Jovita Mendez has lived in the United States for more than 20 years. She always wanted to become a citizen, but the ignorance and language barrier made it virtually impossible to pass the test for naturalization (USCIS). The test consists of 10 questionsthat are randomly chosen from hundreds. Applicants must correctly answer at least six. The issues are very different, they cover a wide range of subjects – from U.S. history to politics.

Jovita Mendez helped a local resident Maribel Solache. «When she approached me, I was full of uncertainty and fear. Jovita didn’t know how to say that she doesn’t know how to read and write,» he told Maribel.

In addition, Mendes didn’t know what can pass the test orally and in their native language (according to the rules of USCIS, this applies to people over 50 years lived in the US for 20 years or more).

Maribel for several weeks read Jovite questions and answers from the list, and she repeated each sentence three or four times. The teacher also downloaded the app on the phone Ivity to listen to questions.

In the end, the woman memorized all 100 questions and answers. However, with the first attempts to test her to pass failed, but the second was successful.

«Now I’m a US citizen» — weeping, said Jovita during the naturalization ceremony. «I wanted something more for myself and I achieved it».

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