The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society backed a bill that would
increase federal funding for the naturalization process.
“Following our Jewish community mandate to welcome the
stranger, it is imperative that we do all that we can to honor our moral
obligation and American traditions in helping immigrants further their goals of
becoming American citizens,” HIAS said Wednesday of the bill introduced by
Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.).”The
Citizenship Promotion Act is significant as it aspires to help the most
vulnerable new Americans and to eliminate unnecessary hardships.”
Hias cited a recent $300 increase in the
naturalization fee and noted that current funding for immigration is 99 percent
fee-based.
