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Eight million immigrants who are living in the United States right now qualify for citizenship, but only 8 per cent of them become citizens each year. The problem? High application fees, a complex citizenship process, and unscrupulous people who take advantage of immigrants seeking legal help.
The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund is part of a national collaboration aimed at reducing these barriers. The New Americans Campaign, announced November 13, 2012, is a nonpartisan initiative that includes legal service providers, businesses, faith-based organizations, community leaders and foundations. Its goal: to modernize the naturalization support system and help more legal permanent (also known as green card holders) achieve their dream of becoming citizens.
“The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund is committed to finding ways to ensure that immigrants can contribute their full talents and voices to the cause of keeping our communities and our country moving forward,” said Cathy Cha, senior program officer for immigrant rights and integration with the Haas, Jr. Fund. “We are delighted to be a part of the New Americans Campaign to help more legal permanent immigrants become U.S. citizens. It’s time to remove the barriers that keep so many immigrants from participating fully in the American experience.”
Read more about the campaign here.