Low has been criticized for her English-language skills.

Besides a low income, admission to the programs requires a high school diploma or its equivalent, English-language skills, some typing ability and strong motivation, she said.

She passed its entrance test in reading, math, English-language skills and typing.

Another program helps the foreign-born improve their English-language skills.

For example, it said, newcomers need help in English-language skills and should be trained for high-tech jobs, so that they will move up the economic ladder.

In New York they were joined by large numbers of Puerto Ricans, many with poor English-language skills.

General van Antwerp said the decision allowed the acceptance of some otherwise qualified recruits whose deficiency was in English-language skills, not mental aptitude.

Without English-language skills, students either dropped out of school because they couldn't keep up, or they were forced to take low-end jobs.

Works in the computer software industry in Toronto, and has assisted recent immigrants with English-language skills.

Ms. Stefanakis also alleges that relying solely on test performance is particularly unfair to immigrant students with limited English-language skills.