fee reduction urged
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