CORNYNKYL and McCAINKENNEDY also address the question of workers. Later this month. I intend to introduce legislation to ensure that our immigration system creates an appropriate legal status for and welcomes the more than 550.000 foreign students who study at our universities and who. incidentally. contribute to our high standard of living by doing so. But there is a third step to any real immigration reform. After we secure our borders. after we create a legal status for foreigners who work here and study here. the third indispensable step is to help prospective citizens become Americans. That is why today I am introducing the Strengthening American Citizenship Act. I am pleased to be joined by Senator CORNYN in this effort. The Strengthening American Citizenship Act helps legal immigrants who are prospective American citizens to learn our common language. our history. and our way of Government in the following ways: First. providing $500 grants for English courses. next. allowing prospective citizens who become fluent in English. not just basic in English. but fluent in English. to apply for citizenship 1 year early. next. providing for grants to organizations to provide courses in American history and civics. authorizing the creation of a new foundation to assist in those efforts. codifying the oath of allegiance to which new citizens swear when they are naturalized. asking the Department of Homeland Security to carry out a strategy to highlight the moving ceremonies in which immigrants become American citizens: and finally. establishing an award to recognize the contributions of new citizens to our great Nation. This bill is about fulfilling the promise of our national motto that is written right above you. Mr. President. on the Senate wall: "E Pluribus Unum." one from many. It is in the most visible place in the Senate Chamber. As a nation of immigrants. that mottofrom many. oneis very important to us. While our unique history makes us a diverse nation. we are still one American Nation. How do we do that?
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naturalized immigrants immigration