Ideology plays a very important role in the development of policies related to language and naturalization. Drawing on notions proposed by Piller (2001) of identity and ideology and their influence in the development of citizenship legislation, this paper takes a close look at the case of Germany. By tracing the roots of prevailing language ideologies in Germany, such as the as ‘one nation-one language’ belief, and the related belief of language as intrinsic to Germanness, this paper will illustrate how ideologies affect both policies, such as the 2000 Immigration Reform Act and its imposition of new language tests, and certain issues of identity related to nationhood and citizenship.