LEWISTON — On the board at the B Street Community Center was the word “Citizenship.”

Beneath it, “Question 99: ‘When do we celebrate Independence Day?’”

The words “pie,” “man,” “kite” and “fan” were also on the board on a recent Saturday. Instructor Saban Shobow, a college student and 2011 Lewiston High School graduate, said each word in English, then in Somali, explaining what the words mean.

The class was all business. Students took notes and listened intently, breaking into smiles only when Shobow cracked a joke.

As the nation’s birthday is celebrated Wednesday with fireworks and picnics, local immigrants are doing patriotic acts each weekend, learning about government and history to become citizens.

The B Street class is one of several on citizenship offered by Rilwan Osman’s Somali Bantu Youth Association of Maine to help immigrants learn English and become citizens.

The association began offering citizenship and English classes in 2009. So far, it has graduated 130 people who have become naturalized citizens, founder Rilwan Osman said.

“I’m very happy about what we’re doing for them; they’re very happy,” he said. “That shows, because they keep coming every week.”

Osman initially formed the association to tutor youths to help them do well in school. “But the parents said, ‘We need something for us,’” he said. “The citizenship class idea came from them.”

To ensure students understand the meaning of history and government phrases they’re learning, “we explain to them in their own language,” Osman said. “We make sure they understand what they’re reading, the concepts.”

The association applies for citizenship on their behalf only after they’ve mastered what they need to know.

“We tell our students, ‘If you don’t know the questions and answers, if you don’t know the writing, we’re not going to apply for you,’” Osman said. “We make sure they’re ready. That’s one of the reasons they always pass.”

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, requirements for immigrants to become citizens are: live in the U.S. for at least five years, be 18 or older, be able to read, write and speak some English and have an understanding of U.S. history and government, and be of good moral character.

The USCIS doesn’t have numbers on how many Somali immigrants have become citizens in recent years. Each year in Maine 1,000 to 1,100 immigrants become citizens, said field office director Sally Blauvelt. “The largest segment naturalized is the Somali population,” she said.

The nation’s birthday and new citizens are connected, Central Maine Community College President Scott Knapp said. “We are a nation of immigrants,” he said. “That’s where we all came from, with the exception of Native Americans.”

Immigrants bring a bit of their home country, culture and background. “That’s been incredibly helpful to the United States, which is the most creative nation in the world,” Knapp said.

Before an immigrant becomes a citizen, their backgrounds are checked. They’re interviewed in English by a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer.

Of a list of 100 possible questions, they’re asked 10. “There’s no interpretation,” Osman said. They must also write answers in English.

To help applicants prepare, instructors hold mock interviews. Osman demonstrated, calling in students to an interview room. Looking at Rukia Burale, 32, Osman asked:

Q: “What is the supreme law of the land?”

A: “The Constitution,” Burale answered, her English clear as a bell.

Q: “What does the Constitution do?”

A: “Set up the government.”

Q: “The idea of setting up the government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?”

A: “We the people.”

Osman then called in Markaba Sheikh, 38, of Lewiston.

Q: “When do we celebrate Independence Day?

A: “July 4.”

Q: “The House of Representatives has how many voting members?”

A: “435.”

Q: “Name one of your U.S. representatives.

A: “Michael Michaud.”

Burale and Sheikh said they want to become citizens so they can vote. Students are told, Osman said, that every vote counts in the United States.

Farah Osman, 53, studying to become a citizen, said living here is peaceful. “The life of the children, and the education, is great,” he said. “America is good.”

bwashuk@sunjournal.com

Civic questions for the naturalization test

Naturalization candidates are asked 10 of 100 civics questions. Questions are asked by a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer. An applicant must answer six of 10 questions correctly to pass the civics portion of the test.

Here is a sample of the questions:

1. What is the supreme law of the land?

2. What does the Constitution do?

3. What do we call the first 10 amendments to the Constitution?

4. What is the economic system in the United States?

5. Name your U.S. representative.

6. Who does a U.S. senator represent? 

7. Who wrote the “Declaration of Independence?”

8. Who did the United States fight in World War II?

9. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

10. What is the name of the national anthem?

Answers:

1. The Constitution.

2. One of three answers is correct: Sets up the government, defines the government, protects basic rights of Americans.

3. The Bill of Rights.

4. Capitalist economy or market economy.

5. U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud.

6. All people of the state.

7. Thomas Jefferson.

8. Japan, Germany and Italy.

9. Because there were 13 original colonies.

10. “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

To see, and download, all 100 questions:

http://tinyurl.com/24yph5f

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