Over the past week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services celebrated Independence Day by welcoming more than 9,400 new citizens in 170 naturalization ceremonies between June 30 and July 7. These ceremonies demonstrate our commitment to welcoming immigrants. We are proud to welcome people from all over the world as our newest U.S. citizens during our nation’s celebration of Independence Day.
This year, as part of their celebrations, USCIS is reaffirming its commitment to making the naturalization process accessible to all who are eligible. Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, USCIS have taken a number of steps to support implementation of Executive Order 14012: Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration System and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans.
USCIS Interagency Strategy for Promoting Naturalization
To reaffirm this commitment, on July 2, 2021, USCIS released the federal government’s Interagency Strategy for Promoting Naturalization. The report reflects the collaboration of USCIS and a host of other agencies across the federal government who are part of the interagency Naturalization Working Group delivering a comprehensive whole-of-government approach aims on President Biden’s Executive Order. The strategy is a nationwide initiative that will be implemented at the community level, promoting naturalization through citizenship education and awareness and by building capacity and expanding partnerships.
The strategy outlines steps that the federal government should take to promote naturalization including:
- Raising awareness of the importance of citizenship;
- Promoting civic integration and inclusion;
- Providing immigrants with opportunities and tools to become fully engaged citizens;
- Building community capacity to prepare immigrants for citizenship; and
- Eliminating sources of fear and other barriers that prevent individuals from accessing resources and services.
There are over 9 million lawful permanent residents eligible for naturalization who have not applied to become citizens. USCIS look forward to working with the American public on implementing the strategy and to welcome and support all aspiring Americans. USCIS will provide additional information on their efforts through our public engagement and outreach efforts.
USCIS is living up to their highest ideals as an organization and as a nation when USCIS encourage everyone to participate fully in their democracy, and to enrich their lives, their families, and their communities as U.S. citizens.
USCIS link: https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/dhs-releases-interagency-strategy-for-promoting-naturalization