These agencies are incapable of providing this information accurately and both the Social Security Administration and the Justice Department have already voiced their opposition to this legislation. The INS is already working to become more efficient. reforming its system to reduce backlogs and prevent criminals from becoming citizens. Forcing it to take on further unnecessary. timeconsuming duties would be a waste of taxpayer dollars that are intended to naturalize. not penalize. Many U.S. citizens were naturalized before the INS began keeping computer records at all. These Americans. who have been voting for years. are among the most likely to have their voting rights revoked and their participation suppressed. If election officials are allowed to "confirm" citizenship status of registered voters and applicants. we grant them the prerogative to reject applicants and drop voters from the rolls. A name returned "unconfirmed" would be deemed ineligible to vote. Millions of nativeborn and naturalized citizens would be turned away and have to prove they are citizens. The bill we have before us today would overturn the Voting Rights Act and invalidate the National Voter Registration Act or "Motor Voter Law." This landmark legislation successfully established procedures that encourage voter participation nationwide. Since its enactment in 1993. 13 million new voters have registered. including senior citizens. disabled citizens. military personnel. and many others.
Keywords matched
naturalize naturalized