US Conference of Mayors resolution calls for proactive USCIS and DHS policy changes

fee reduction urged

The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) has voted overwhelmingly to pass a resolution, called Citizenship Now, that urges USCIS) and DHS to make policy changes that will increase the number of U.S. Citizens from the pool of eligible lawful permanent residents. The resolution emphasizes that it is in the interest of the federal government, especially USCIS, to minimize barriers to naturalization by reducing fees for citizenship applicants and “offering alternatives like a sliding-scale income based approach or family unit fee.”

The full text of the resolution is below, and more info is at this link: http://www.partnershipfornewamericans.org/uscm-citizenship-reso

CITIZENSHIP NOW
WHEREAS, the United States has long attracted immigrants to its shore to find 
success and pursue the American Dream; and 
WHEREAS, more U.S. cities are home to diverse populations, such as in Los 
Angeles where 40 percent of its residents are foreign-born and hail from more 
than 110 countries in search of opportunity; and
WHEREAS, nationally there are approximately 8.8 million immigrants currently 
eligible for citizenship, and the City of Los Angeles has one of the largest 
concentrations of lawful permanent residents in the country eligible for U.S. 
Citizenship; and 
WHEREAS, immigrants strengthen the economy and are often driving force 
behind the creation and success of small business enterprises; and
WHEREAS, it has been found that citizenship increases the overall economic 
revenue for local municipal governments; and 
WHEREAS, citizenship creates new economic opportunities and increased civic 
engagement; and
WHEREAS, the federal government has created a federal agency (USCIS) under 
the Department of Homeland Security to support naturalization efforts and to 
encourage naturalization in the form of local municipal partnerships; and
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the federal government and specifically 
USCIS to reduce fees for citizenship applicants and to minimize barriers to 
naturalization by offering alternatives like a sliding-scale income based approach 
or family unit fee,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOVED, that The United States Conference of 
Mayors urges the USCIS and Department of Homeland Security to make policy 
changes that will increase the number of U.S. citizens from the pool of eligible 
lawful permanent residents.

Posted: to Citizenship News on Fri, Aug 1, 2014
Updated: Fri, Aug 1, 2014