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CLINIC URGES MORE PRODUCTIVE DEBATE ON CITIZENSHIP AND INTEGRATION
Jan. 16, 2008 (download as PDF file)
Contact: Melissa Williams
Public Affairs & Media Relations Officer
Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC)
(202) 635-5810
mwilliams@cliniclegal.org
Jan. 16, 2008 (download as PDF file)
Contact: Melissa Williams
Public Affairs & Media Relations Officer
Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC)
(202) 635-5810
mwilliams@cliniclegal.org
Media inquiries: Melissa Williams
Public Affairs & Media Relations Officer
(202) 635-5810
Public Affairs & Media Relations Officer
(202) 635-5810
415 Michigan Ave., NE
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
e-mail me
(202) 635-5810
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
e-mail me
(202) 635-5810
Report available at:
http://www.cliniclegal.org/DNP/citzplan.html
http://www.cliniclegal.org/DNP/citzplan.html
Washington, DC – Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) calls upon the presidential
candidates and elected officials to engage in a more productive discussion of citizenship and
immigrant integration. In fiscal year 2007, 1.4 million persons applied for U.S. citizenship, double the
number from 2006. This remarkable increase, combined with the massive demand for English-as-a-
Second-Language classes, belie the claims of anti-immigrant groups that U.S. immigrants do not want
to integrate in the United States. Unfortunately, processing times for naturalization applications have
soared to 18 months. As a result, many lawful immigrants who filed for citizenship last year will not
be naturalized in time to vote in the 2008 presidential elections. The delays are so troublesome that
the House Immigration Subcommittee has scheduled a hearing on the issue for January 17th.
Instead of building on the momentum created by this massive influx of naturalization applications,
many Members of Congress and at least two presidential candidates have supported the denial of
citizenship -- which is guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment -- to children born in the United
States to parents without legal status. In an egregious challenge to the “rule of law,” the Birthright
Citizenship Act of 2007, which had 96 co-sponsors last Congress, would have attempted to make this
change by legislative fiat.
“These kinds of proposals are disappointing and distract the American people from thinking seriously
about how to strengthen the country by making the U.S. naturalization process an accessible and
model process” said Bishop Jaime Soto, Coadjutor of Sacramento, California and chair of CLINIC’s
Board of Directors.
“Our nation’s strength and vitality depend on the successful integration and contributions of its
newest members. Politicians should be debating the best ways to improve the citizenship process
and achieve immigrant integration, not how to deny citizenship to children born here who will never
know another country” said CLINIC Executive Director Donald Kerwin.
CLINIC has developed a plan to foster citizenship and integration. In its report, A More Perfect Union:
A National Citizenship Plan, CLINIC outlines several key components to the successful integration of
newcomers. They include citizenship application assistance; expanded English language, American
history, and civics instruction; improvements to make the naturalization process a more timely and
affordable one; and efforts to engage new citizens in civic activities and volunteerism once they have
taken the oath of allegiance.
“These are the goals that our lawmakers should pursue, as they will serve us far better than punitive
strategies that will hurt innocent children,” said Bishop Soto. “Citizenship can serve as a catalyst for
immigrants to become more dedicated to democratic principles, more informed about American history,
more proficient in English, and better positioned to make positive contributions to our society. Our
leaders must be committed to implementing policies and changes consistent with these objectives,” he
added.
CLINIC’s report is available at www.cliniclegal.org.
# # #
candidates and elected officials to engage in a more productive discussion of citizenship and
immigrant integration. In fiscal year 2007, 1.4 million persons applied for U.S. citizenship, double the
number from 2006. This remarkable increase, combined with the massive demand for English-as-a-
Second-Language classes, belie the claims of anti-immigrant groups that U.S. immigrants do not want
to integrate in the United States. Unfortunately, processing times for naturalization applications have
soared to 18 months. As a result, many lawful immigrants who filed for citizenship last year will not
be naturalized in time to vote in the 2008 presidential elections. The delays are so troublesome that
the House Immigration Subcommittee has scheduled a hearing on the issue for January 17th.
Instead of building on the momentum created by this massive influx of naturalization applications,
many Members of Congress and at least two presidential candidates have supported the denial of
citizenship -- which is guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment -- to children born in the United
States to parents without legal status. In an egregious challenge to the “rule of law,” the Birthright
Citizenship Act of 2007, which had 96 co-sponsors last Congress, would have attempted to make this
change by legislative fiat.
“These kinds of proposals are disappointing and distract the American people from thinking seriously
about how to strengthen the country by making the U.S. naturalization process an accessible and
model process” said Bishop Jaime Soto, Coadjutor of Sacramento, California and chair of CLINIC’s
Board of Directors.
“Our nation’s strength and vitality depend on the successful integration and contributions of its
newest members. Politicians should be debating the best ways to improve the citizenship process
and achieve immigrant integration, not how to deny citizenship to children born here who will never
know another country” said CLINIC Executive Director Donald Kerwin.
CLINIC has developed a plan to foster citizenship and integration. In its report, A More Perfect Union:
A National Citizenship Plan, CLINIC outlines several key components to the successful integration of
newcomers. They include citizenship application assistance; expanded English language, American
history, and civics instruction; improvements to make the naturalization process a more timely and
affordable one; and efforts to engage new citizens in civic activities and volunteerism once they have
taken the oath of allegiance.
“These are the goals that our lawmakers should pursue, as they will serve us far better than punitive
strategies that will hurt innocent children,” said Bishop Soto. “Citizenship can serve as a catalyst for
immigrants to become more dedicated to democratic principles, more informed about American history,
more proficient in English, and better positioned to make positive contributions to our society. Our
leaders must be committed to implementing policies and changes consistent with these objectives,” he
added.
CLINIC’s report is available at www.cliniclegal.org.
# # #