OTAN News

The New N-400 Application for Naturalization

Jennifer Gagliardi, OTAN SME

On April 1, 2024, USCIS released a new fee rule (G-1055 effective immediately) and the updated N-400 Application for Naturalization (N-400 2024). The new fee rule edition of Form N-400 incorporates a request for a reduced fee based on household income. Certain applicants may be eligible to submit Form I-912 Request for Fee Waiver when they apply for naturalization. Use the Fee Calculator Tool to pay the correct amount.

Applicants can still submit the N-400 2019 edition until June 3, 2024. Until then, applicants can also use the 09/17/19 E and 09/17/19 editions. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions. If you are filing an acceptable prior form edition, you must include the new filing fee.

As of April 01, 2024 the USCIS N-400 page offers the April 1, 2024 edition only which can be used to file online or downloaded from USCIS.gov. Note: there is a $50 discount for general filing online!

Overview of N-400 2024 Changes

• Provides a third gender option: X (another gender identity)
• Option to request an SSN or replacement card, and update immigration status with Social Security Administration
• Structural changes:
• Removed and condensed sections (see Chart 1 below)
• Removed exemptions and accommodations requests (use Section 14)
• Simplified tables for addresses, employment, and travel
• Combined and reworded questions; includes rephrasing for clarity

How does the N-400 2024 affect the naturalization interview?

A naturalization interview based on Form N-400 2024 will have similar content and flow as an interview based on the N-400 2019.

• Small talk; place the applicant under Oath; verify identity; ready for the interview.
• Reading Test: read 1 sentence correctly; 3 attempts allowed
• Writing Test: write 1 dictated sentence correctly on a tablet; 3 attempts allowed.
• Note: officer prepares the tablet; applicant only writes the sentence.
• Civics Test: answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly from the 2008 Civics Test.
• English Test: Officer assesses the applicant’s ability to understand and respond to questions based on the N-400 application. Eligibility requirements have not changed. Follow up questions may be asked to determine eligibility as needed. Some questions have been rephrased and may also use alternative phrasing.

Adapt Form N-400 2019 Material for a N-400 2024 Interview

Applicants are already using the N-400 2024 to apply for naturalization. Because of the quicker case processing times, it is possible that students who applied with the new N-400 will join your class before Summer Vacation. Use this opportunity to do a compare/contrast with the N-400 2019 form and the N-400 2024 form with your students.

Until the end of the 2023-2024 school year, teach the USCIS N-400 2019 to prepare students for their upcoming interviews, incorporating N-400 2024 Section 9 rephrased questions. At the start of the 2024-2025 school year (Fall 2024), teach the USCIS N-400 2024 to prepare students for their upcoming interviews. Adapt N-400 2019 classroom materials as needed.

ILRC.org has a page dedicated to the translation and annotations of N-400 2016 and just released an annotated N-400 2024.

Build Digital Skills for U.S. Citizenship

The N-400 2024 offers teachers the opportunity to reset their Citizenship Prep classroom curriculums to incorporate more freshened up civics content and adopt more digital literacy activities. Focus introductory class sessions on a virtual “tour” of USCIS.gov Tools (Early Filing Date, Case Processing Times, Creating an Online USCIS account, etc.) and N-400 page (pdf, instructions, filing locations, etc.), and demonstrate filling out (but NOT submitting) an online N-400.

Consult the USA Learns.org Citizenship Scope and Sequence Guide and USA Learns Citizenship Links and Notes Guide to pinpoint digital skills and civic engagement lessons to prepare your students for their interview, then warm your class with USA Learns Citizenship Section1 Taking First Steps Activities. Assign students to do the Section 2 N-400 USA Learns lesson independently, paired with realia and the USA Learns Access America course (see its Scope and Sequence guide).(based on the USCIS Welcome to America Guide M-618;), to support how the N-400 is a quick “retrospective” that looks forward to full integration and inclusion in America

Use Voice-enabled Gen AI Apps to practice for New USCIS N-400 (ChatGPT transcript)

Slice up old paper scripts and reorder the sections, removing any obsolete questions and adding rephrased questions. Having familiarized themselves with differences and similarities, students can then train generative AI apps such as ChatGPT mobile to ask naturalization interview questions (gleaned from earlier data sets) in the correct N-400 2024 sequence rejecting obsolete questions, adding detailed questions, and sharing interview recordings.

Open Chat GPT mobile settings, Select Voice, then click back to the main screen and click the audio icon. (Tip: vary Voices to prepare for different USCIS examiners). Prepare for the interview by telling ChatGPT that you want to practice for your naturalization interview. ChatGPT will then start asking the USCIS 100 civics questions unless you specifically give a prompt to base the interview on the N-400 Application for Naturalization. Because ChatGPT is pulling data from a pre-2022 data set, it will follow the order of the N-400 2019. You can get around that problem by telling it by prompting it to ask questions per the N-400 2024 sequence: Eligibility, Name, Address, Marital History, Children Under 18, Employment, Travel, Illegal Activities, Attachment to the Constitution.

The questions asked by the mobile ChatGPT chatbot are much closer to the actual questions asked during the USCIS interview as opposed to the desktop web-based text-based prompts. Another advantage of the mobile app is that the transcripts is not only available on the app, you can access from you experiment with audio chatbot apps because students will be listening to learn (to see if the chatbot follow’s their instructions) instead of listening to reply, example: “Have you ever…” “No, Officer Teacher!” “Excuse me, listen to the entire question for keywords, then answer the question.”

Look at the Civics questions again; use generative AI to refresh and create civics materials according to literacy levels, particularly N-400 questions and Civics Questions that have a common theme. Example: VOTING (N-400 2024 Part 9:2; USCIS 100:27,48-50,54,55). Copy and paste text from The USCIS Quick Civics Lessons or video transcripts from the Preparing the Oath and prompt the GenAI tool to adjust the CEFR level or create a quick timeline of Voting Rights in the United States; include class alumni: new U.S. citizens and the date they registered to vote on the Voting Rights timeline.

Conclusion

The release of the N-400 2024 is a welcome prompt to update our civics and citizenship course curriculum. Using Generative AI tools can aid in the adaption and development of new U.S. Citizenship Preparation resources while enhancing 21st century workforce skills, thereby supporting full immigrant inclusion in American society. Join the LINCS.ed.gov Civics Education and Citizenship group to stay up-to-date on the latest news, resources, and training opportunities.

Source: MS Designer Image Creator 04/20/2024 by Jennifer Gagliardi

Resources for Further Consideration:

USCIS: Curriculum Guides for Adult Citizenship Ed M-1189 | M-1121 | M-1166 | M-677 | M-1139