Speech #1040261854

I have Introduced legislation. H.R. 4056. to make it easier for legal residents to become citizens. Since Congress is passing laws that deny programs to noncitizens. its appropriate to make it easier for them to become citizens. The bill I have Introduced. H.R. 4056. Is legislation which authorizes automatic U.S. citizenship for three categories of legal permanent residents: Persons who have resided in the United States for at least 20 years. persons who have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 40 quarters. persons who are at least 70 years old and who have lived legally in the United States for at least 5 years and persons who are U.S. veterans with an honorable discharge. Current requirements for naturalization are retained Including that of: Good moral character. attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States. and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States. There exist long backlogs in the naturalization workloads of the Immigration and Naturalization Service delaying citizenship for lawabiding Individuals described in my legislationthose who have lived a significant amount of time in the United States. dedicated workers. the elderly. and our veterans. I strongly urge my colleagues to support my legislation. H.R. 4056. which enhances and hastens the acquisition of U.S. citizenship to truly worthy Individuals.