U.S. to Urge Legal Immigrants to Seek Citizenship

The Clinton Administration will encourage some 10 million legal immigrants to become U.S. citizens in a bid to counter anti-immigrant sentiment, the New York Times reported in today’s editions.

The Administration’s efforts could enfranchise millions who have lived in the United States for years without seeking citizenship.

When immigrants become citizens, they gain the right to vote, hold public office and serve on juries. Becoming a citizen also makes it easier to get jobs as police officers or public school teachers, positions reserved for citizens in some states.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service estimates that 10 million legal permanent residents who are not citizens live in the United States.

By the turn of the century, this group may constitute one-fourth of the population in some cities, including Los Angeles, New York and Miami, the newspaper said.

Until now the federal government has not promoted naturalization, and the complexity of the process has probably discouraged many from applying for citizenship, the report added.

Doris Meissner, the commissioner of immigration and naturalization, said in an interview with the newspaper that the new policy is intended to defuse tensions over immigration.

“We have to do as much as we can to promote naturalization. . . . I am very concerned about the anti-immigrant feelings we see in various parts of the country and in Congress,” she said.

“Naturalization helps counteract anti-immigrant attitudes. When people become citizens, they accept our values, and most Americans are reassured,” she added.