2 of 4 of my grandparents never became citizens. And none of them spoke, read or wrote English. They came here about 1910.
Did they get on welfare or shuffle drugs into the country in a gang?
My father’s father, came from Sicily at 18 yrs. old, alone on a ship, in 1909. He never became a citizen either due to not being able to learn the language. He spoke broken English, but mostly Italian..
That should be one of the requirements (pass an English test.)
My grandmother had a harder time learning English than my grandfather. He was a little boy when he arrived. She was a teenager. She kept at it, though. She only spoke English in front of her children and grandchildren. Czech was reserved strictly for my grandfather. I liken it to the times when children hear their middle name.
Shame on them and shame on YOU!
My great, great grandparents came much earlier than that, spoke 7 different languages, learned English, and became proud Americans; as did the other members of my extended family, who came here before they had.
And my family story isn't unique at all.