I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman. my amendment is a straightforward. simple humanitarian amendment. which would exempt any U.S. legal permanent residents who cannot take the naturalization exam because they suffer from mental disorders and physical impairments or disabilities. Under title IV of H.R. 4 these people would be cut off from Federal benefits simply because they are not American citizens. These individuals would not be able to resolve this problem because of their inability to take the naturalization exam. H.R. 4 currently makes no exemption for these individuals who would be the most affected by the elimination of these benefits. The elderly who suffer from Alzheimers disease cannot possibly pass the citizenship exam given their debilitating disease. They cannot remember or memorize questions. nor are they physically able to present themselves many times before the citizenship examination. Under this legislation these people unfortunately would be unfairly cut off. The same goes for a person who because of a physical disability cannot leave his or her home to take the naturalization exam. These individuals. maiy of whom have contributed years of hard work and labor to this country. would now be denied benefits simply because they cannot because of physically tormenting disabilities take the citizenship exam. Under my amendment the Immigration and Naturalization Service will be able to have the ability to determine if the person is unfit to take the naturalization exam due to this serious disability. Mr. Speaker. in my south Florida community and indeed around our great Nation. many U.S. permanent residents. especially the elderly. suffering from such terrible diseases as Alzheimers are unable to take the citizenship test because of their illnesses.
Keywords matched
naturalization Naturalization Immigration