When in Estonia, Speak as the Estonians Do

The article contains several items that need to be clarified. The author states that all immigrants must pass a standard Estonian language proficiency test to obtain a residency permit or citizenship, and that those who fail to meet the requirements face deportation. Only those aliens who desire to become citizens must pass the language requirement. Those desiring permanent alien status must register as such, which is a common practice in the United States. Only those who do not desire to become citizens and do not apply to become permanent residents may face deportation, a practice similar to laws in the US and other countries.

Actually, Estonian citizenship law is not as strict as US law. The wait is two years before an application for citizenship may be submitted, while in the US it is five years. Both countries require sufficient knowledge of the language to conduct daily business. Mati Koiva, Severna Park, Md.

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