States
and local governments can take action to further assist naturalization -- from
improving registration procedures at driver licensing offices and other
government offices, to assisting in the naturalization process. Illinois' Office of New
Americans
has become the leader among the at least 15
states that
have offices to tailor services to immigrants and help with naturalization.
States
can create government offices or fund organizations to assist immigrants to
successfully complete the process of obtaining U.S. citizenship through
naturalization. A few recent examples include:
- In February 2008, Washington's
Governor Christine Gregoire signed Executive Order
08-01, creating a New Americans Policy Council to promote naturalization, English skills, and
public-private partnerships for integration. The Washington state legislature
took the additional
step of providing $340,000 in funding to promote community economic
development and build the capacity of organizations across the state that
provide naturalization assistance to legal permanent residents.
- Arizona SB
1096 appropriates funds for English language
learners, and Missouri HB
2010 provides funds for naturalization
assistance to certain legal immigrants.
- In
fall of 2007, New Jersey created a Blue
Ribbon Panel on Immigrant Policy to develop strategies to better
integrate immigrants in that state, and New York announced a $6 million
initiative to fund nineteen state organizations that help New York
immigrants become United States citizens.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's FY 2009 budget
proposed increasing funding for that state's Citizenship
for New Americans Program from $500,000 to $1.5 million.
States can
also enact refundable tax credits for naturalization expenses:
- Indiana's SB 240 would create an
Adult Education Tax Credit which would give employers a credit of up to
$300 per employee and up to $5,000 per year for payment of an employee's
expenses related to adult education programs, including citizenship
training.
- Minnesota's HF 747 would create
a specific Citizenship Income Tax Credit.
- Texas's HB 240 would require
school districts to grant students an excused absence from school when
appearing at a governmental office to complete paperwork required in
connection with the student's application for U.S. citizenship or to take
part in a naturalization oath ceremony.
States
can also improve government communication and coordination over programs
promoting immigrant integration:
- Illinois's SB 1746 enacted the Latino
Family Commission in 2007, which will advise the Governor and General Assembly,
as well as work directly with State agencies to improve and expand
existing policies, services, programs, and opportunities for Latino
families. In 2008, Illinois approved SB 783 to
provide funds for more bilingual personnel in public agencies.
See
also:
