Reps. Torres, Correa & Espaillat Reintroduce Remote Naturalization Act
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today reintroduced the Remote Naturalization Act to give naturalized U.S. citizens the option to take their naturalization oath via videoconferencing technology or over the phone. The Congresswoman's legislation is cosponsored by Congressmen Lou Correa (CA-46) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).
Since 2015, a growing naturalization application backlog has left hundreds of thousands of new Americans mere steps away from citizenship. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the bipartisan Heroes Act managed this backlog by allowing naturalized citizens to take the oath of allegiance remotely. The Remote Naturalization Act makes this option permanent.
"As a naturalized citizen, I know naturalization changes new Americans' lives. Compared to noncitizens, naturalized citizens earn higher wages, enjoy higher rates of employment, and are less likely to live in poverty," said Congresswoman Torres. "In addition to expanding access to naturalization, my legislation contributes to our nation's economic growth, helps special populations like deployed service members obtain citizenship, and saves the government money. I'm proud to introduce this common-sense bill alongside Congressmen Correa and Espaillat and urge Congress to pass it without delay."
"For the thousands of soon-to-be-Americans, the naturalization ceremony is a moment of great pride and inclusion. And now more than ever, we must do everything we can to support those who are mere steps away from obtaining citizenship," said Congressman Correa. "These hardworking, law-abiding, and tax-paying immigrants have earned the right to stand up and pledge allegiance to our Nation, and proclaim their love for our great country--and the ability to do so should be as accessible as possible, especially for our military service members deployed abroad and individuals with disabilities."
"I am proud to join my colleagues to reintroduce legislation that would help streamline the naturalization process by utilizing the technology that is available to us to allow individuals and their families to become American citizens through the naturalization process," said Congressman Espaillat. "The pandemic forced many of our agencies, including the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), to transition services virtually and the resulting backlog created delays for many immigrant families seeking the citizenship. Our bill urges for a remote option for the naturalization process that would allow hundreds of thousands of hardworking would-be citizens to fully contribute and have an opportunity at the American dream."
The Remote Naturalization Act is endorsed by the American Immigration Lawyers Association, National Partnership for New Americans, CHIRLA, Masa Group, National Immigration Forum, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.