Political Quotes

John Hope Bryant: “Reclaiming my time, they presumably are on a track toward citizenship, and you cannot become a citizen unless you learn…”

On the recordMarch 20, 1996
Reclaiming my time, they presumably are on a track toward citizenship, and you cannot become a citizen unless you learn to speak English. My point is we have historically required of everyone who becomes a citizen English proficiency. This is the first time I have ever heard about a proposal that says you cannot come in the door unless you already speak English in these categories. There is no evidence, nobody has come forward and said this is a problem. We have had no hearings that indicated this is a problem. This is sort of out of the blue.
Said by
John Hope Bryant
Texas
Source
govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Discussing English proficiency requirements for citizenship during a debate.

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