Luz Gonzales hands over her completed citizenship application at a free workshop at Santa Ana College. Starting Wednesday, the federal government begins phasing in a new citizenship test. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)
People wait in line at the Santa Ana citizenship workshop. Some were urging immigrants to apply before Wednesday to make sure they could opt for the old test. The new test involves more open-ended questions -- like describing what the Constitution does -- while the old test involved more rote memorization. “Every time there’s something new, it’s seen as another barrier,” says one immigrants advocate. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)
Blanca Rivas is one of 700 to attend the Santa Ana College workshop last month. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)
Rafael Tajimaroa helps Elvia Serrano file paperwork at the workshop. Volunteers were helping residents fill out their forms properly; photographers took passport photos; and immigration attorneys reviewed applications. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)
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Some at the workshop were nervous about the impending change to the test. At least one couple planned to study both the new and old versions. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)
