But I encourage those who can, to do it, to make sure that they can
because legal permanent residents face an uphill battle to citizenship. My father was one who actually never became a citizen. My father was
older, so I never really had an opportunity to ask him why he didn't do
it, but I see today the importance of it, especially in a day where
immigrants are under attack, where more and more people who think they
have a right to be here and have status here may do something that
causes them to become deportable. It is so very important for people, who can become citizens, to take
that opportunity to do it. It is really a gateway to voting, to
employment, receiving benefits, and investing in our family's future. Citizens receive higher wages, greater economic opportunity, and full
access to the equal rights that are fundamental to becoming an
American. We should be promoting programs to ensure that these immigrants have
the skills and the resources they need to learn, succeed, and give back
to the communities they call home. Organizations like the Coalition for
Humane Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles are working hard to make
citizenship more attainable for everyone by providing free citizenship
services. Again, I urge my colleagues to support these efforts on Saturday,
June 17. Becoming a citizen is just the beginning of the American
Dream.
Keywords matched
Immigrant deportable immigrants