Through an interpreter. she told me that her son was killed in battle while serving in the U.S. Army in World War II. She further told me of her strong desire to become a citizen. and that naturalization had been denied her because she cannot read and write English. I contacted the district office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in her behalf. but was informed that there is no discretionary authority under which the language requirement can be waived. Mr. Speaker. this bill may appear to involve a small matter. but I believe that the test of the greatness of a Government often lies in whether or not it is willing to pay attention to these socalled small matters of humble people. The least we can do for these noncitizen parents is to express our gratitude to them by welcoming them to the ranks of our democracy without unnecessary delay and redtape. I hope that the Judiciary Committee will act promptly on this measure.
Keywords matched
naturalization Immigration Naturalization noncitizen