Arturo Vargas, executive director, NALEO Educational Fund, and Mark Falzone, deputy director, National Immigration Forum, speak about the New Americans Success Act at a Capitol Hill press conference on July 23.
On Thursday, bipartisan members of Congress, Tony Cárdenas (D-California) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida), introduced a bill to allow the federal government to give grants to programs that help integrate immigrants and encourage civic participation.
This legislation, called the New Americans Success Act, is championed by New Americans Campaign partners NALEO Educational Fund and the National Immigration Forum. The New Americans Success Act would allow the federal government, specifically United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, to accept private donations to fund integration programs. Grants would be given to state and city governments to offer English and civics classes and career development to lawful permanent residents.
Nearly 9 million lawful permanent residents are eligible for citizenship but have not taken the next step to become U.S. citizens. Barriers to citizenship include poor English language skills and a lack of access to resources that would help people enhance these skills. This legislation offers an opportunity to fund essential classes for aspiring new Americans.
Last week, Ros-Lehtinen released a statement about the New Americans Success Act.