Speech #1100022548

It sends the message that we measure character based on income. Our government has never provided services based on what people are willing to pay. That is why we are introducing the Citizenship Promotion Act to ensure that immigration application fees are both reasonable and fair and that the citizenship process itself respects the individuality of each applicant. For immigrants who choose to come to America and pursue citizenship. there are numerous barriers. First. family. friends. and community are left behind. The new communities they enter come with the challenge of a new language. different social norms. and sometimes discrimination. And yet. every year. thousands of immigrants fully embrace the values and ideals that make us all Americans and unite us in our common pursuit of a better. more democratic society. The dues we charge legal immigrants for joining the American family. from application fees to naturalization tests to background checks are all necessary. but should not eliminate people on the basis of income. age. or ethnicity. Excessive fees. testing that asks trivial questions or is administered without consideration for the applicants circumstances. and background checks that take years to complete tell us more about ourselves than they do about those wishing to enter. We believe that there are ways to help cushion the blow to immigrants from increased costs without hurting the agency. The CPA would make it clear to the USCIS that application fees do not need to fund all direct and indirect costs. We would maintain fees at their current levels and require that before raising fees any further. the agency report to Congress on its direct and indirect costs and how much In appropriations it would need to establish reasonable and fair fees. In addition to ensuring that fees are fair. we want to make sure that other aspects of pursuing citizenship are fair as well. Our bill requires that citizenship tests be administered with consideration for the applicant. that the agency work with the FBI to move background checks through the process more quickly. and that any new application procedure make it possible for people without Internet access to continue submitting their applications on paper. The bill also creates a new grant program to give community based organizations the resources necessary to prepare and equip immigrants to become citizens. Lets stop sending mixed messages. Lets work together and set immigration fees at a level that are fair and consistent with our commitment to being an open. democratic. and egalitarian society. By Mr. CARDIN (for himself.