Legislation

Investing in Immigrant Integration

The Issue

Although America accepts more immigrants than any other nation, it does very little to encourage immigrants to become full members of our society. For immigrants who are learning English, an opening in a class may be hard to find. Until recently, almost nothing was done to encourage immigrants to become citizens. Recently, the Obama administration has taken steps to try to increase resources for immigrants on the path to citizenship, but these efforts are threatened in the current budget climate.

Legislation

• Department of Homeland Security Appropriations
  The DHS Appropriations bill provides the funds for the operation of the Department of Homeland Security, and its component elements, including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. For Fiscal Year 2012, the President asked for $19.75 million to continue and expand an immigrant integration initiative. The House version of the bill allocated $0, while the Senate version of the bill provided $8 million for a grant program to citizenship service providers.



• Strengthen and Unite Communities through Civics Education and English Development (SUCCEED) Act
  H.R. 1617, introduced in the house by Representative Mike Honda (D-CA) and 21 co-sponsors. The legislation will provide resources to increase capacity to teach America’s newcomers English and help them prepare for citizenship. It provides for more coordination at the federal level for immigrant integration policies, and it provides assistance to states for their efforts to integrate their immigrant populations. (List of co-sponsors.)

• Press Release: “Rep Honda Introduces "Strengthen and Unite Communities with Civics Education and English Development (SUCCEED) Act,” Representative Mike Honda, April 15, 2011.


• Issue Brief: Modest Investment for Immigrant Integration Should Be Preserved, National Immigration Forum, May 2011.


• Issue Brief: House Spending Bill Proposes to Reverse Government Initiative to Integrate Immigrants, National Immigration Forum, February 2011.

Issue Briefs and Reports from the Forum

Additional Resources