Speech #920285545

But if you are not a citizen and want to become one. these rights and protections do not apply. Indeed. in order to become an American citizen. you are called upon to incriminate yourself and to make public the full details of your personal life. Current procedures for naturalization. which are sanctioned by law. are summarized in form N400. "Application To File Petition for Naturalization." Form N400 is a 4page personal questionnaire which is used in open court for all to hear and question. The form asks. among other questions. whether you have ever been a drunkard. whether you have ever made a bet. whether you have ever even advocated the possibility of polygamy. whether you have ever committed any infraction of the law of any country you have lived in. including traffic violations or any violation of the repressive laws of Communist countries. You must list infractions of the law for which you were not arrested and you must also show that you have never acted in any way that could be questioned by almost anyone elses moral standards. You can be denied citizenship if you answer yes to these sort of questions or if you answer no. and are even slightly incorrect. Mr. Speaker. the American people are not an immoral people. but I suspect that if all Americans had to apply for citizenship this way. there would be very few citizenseven among immigration officials. This insulting and. perhaps. unconstitutional procedure for naturalization is the reason why nearly 4 million registered aliens live in the United States on a permanent basis. but do not apply for citizenship. They would like to become citizensthey surely pay taxes. contribute to America. and face the same everyday problems of Americansbut they will not submit to form N400. Form N400. which is based upon section 101 (f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. is a throwback to an earlier selfrighteous and discriminatory era. It must be changed. I am. today. introducing legislation to amend section 101(f). The new 101(f) will provide just three grounds for questioning a persons moral character: A conviction of murder. trafficking in dangerous narcotics. and willful. knowing violation of the immigration laws. The new section 101(f) would provide ample protection for our country. without the present humiliating citizenship procedure. This is not the first time I have made this issue public.