Citizenship Process Under Attack!!!

Fee Increase for Citizenship Application will take effect on October 1.

INS Commissioner Doris Meissner recently announced at a hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration that the fee for citizenship applications will increase on October 1, 1998 from $95 to $225. The fee for fingerprinting will remain at $25 bringing the citizenship application fee to $250. We urge you to voice your opinion on this unfair increase. Please write to Doris Meissner, INS Commissioner at 425 I Street NW Washington, DC 20536. A sample letter with suggested points is enclosed for your convenience. Please either fax us at (212) 337-0028 or mail us at the address above, a copy of the letter you send to Commissioner Meissner.

Lamar Smith's Naturalization Bill Attacks Immigrant's Rights.

Lamar Smith's bill (H.R. 2837) the Citizenship Integrity and Backlog Reduction Act of 1998 recently passed the House Subcommittee on Immigration by a vote of 5 to 2. This bill contains a number of provisions that will toughen the process of applying for citizenship and ease INS' ability to deny or revoke citizenship. Some of its provisions are:

• The INS can refuse to naturalize immigrants that committed an offense that might lead to their deportation. Even if the offense was committed years ago and at the time the person was not subject to deportation.
• The INS can determine an applicant's "good moral character" from any 'unlawful conduct' during the applicant's life.
• An applicant for citizenship who has lost his or her green card will have to wait for an additional 30 days before being permitted to become a citizen.
• For three years after naturalization, the INS can "administratively denaturalize" anyone. Someone might be denaturalized for something as simple as giving information at the interview that is slightly different from the information on their application or not notifying the INS if you change addresses.

We are presently coordinating with a nationwide effort to determine the best course to follow to advocate against Lamar Smith's attempts to reduce the rights of immigrants and naturalized citizens. Please watch for future updates.

Please contact Netlyn Bernard Samedy at 212-337-0005 ext. 18