Community Essay : Dream of Becoming Citizen Must Be Protected by All : America must avoid the nightmare of a polarized nation pitting native-born residents against immigrants.

Angela Lee’s last dream was to become a U.S. citizen. Diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, the 60-year-old Korean immigrant was determined to die an American. So as her college-educated daughter pushed the emaciated 75-pound grandmother in her shiny wheelchair through a crowded aisle of the Los Angeles district office of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, admiring glances and nods of understanding pervaded the room in which immigrants must pass a test for U.S. citizenship. Such occasions may be multiplied many times if a new campaign is implemented this year by the Clinton Administration.

Early this year, INS Commissioner Doris Meissner announced that the federal government will allocate $30 million in fiscal year 1995 in hopes of facilitating the citizenship dreams of about 8 million lawful residents who have come to the United States since 1965, especially the 3 million who began receiving amnesty in 1988. Though too small a portion of the overall INS budget, the campaign will nevertheless establish a hot line to disseminate information about applying for citizenship, work with community groups and schools to promote citizenship and language proficiency and beef up staff to handle applications more efficiently.

Such a campaign comes at a critical juncture in our nation’s history. Immigrants are too often portrayed as taking but not giving back to their adopted country. They are often seen as separate and distinct from the social fabric of the United States. This social alienation combined with fears about immigrants’ impact on the economy have led to drastic proposals to curtail immigration and limit citizenship.

A successful naturalization drive would help to counteract misinformed anti-immigrant attitudes. According to Meissner, when Americans see immigrants adopting common values, they become reassured. She has a point.

Although most Americans realize that denial of naturalization rights has historically been used to discriminate against Asians, Latinos and others, many have not been convinced that constitutional protections of citizenship should be upheld. The many economic studies showing the net benefit of immigration have also not been persuasive enough to counteract the belief that immigrants take more than they give.

A highly visible naturalization campaign would demonstrate how immigrants are productive citizens. Immigrants who want to become citizens do in fact undertake significant responsibilities in the citizenship process; they must learn to read, write and speak basic English to pass the citizenship test and they must pass a history exam that includes 100 questions that range from naming the colors of the U.S. flag to reciting the name of the President who was the first commander in chief of the U.S. military.

Immigrants like Angela Lee must certify that they have paid their taxes, that they will serve in the military in a time of war and that they will perform civilian duties during times of national emergency. Applicants are fingerprinted to determine any arrests in their background. They can be rejected for citizenship if they have failed to pay child support, if they do not register for the Selective Service, or if they have unlawfully accepted government benefits.

Newly naturalized citizens are providing the fundamental building block of our democracy by participating in the political process. In the west San Gabriel Valley, for example, new citizens are among increasing numbers of Asian American political candidates.

In running for local offices, immigrants join the community in seeking solutions to problems facing society. Citizens and non-citizens alike can benefit from the lessons of many immigrant families whose drive for educational achievement and excellence needs to be shared with all.

But the INS citizenship campaign will not succeed unless Commissioner Meissner targets the agency itself. The Los Angeles INS office, for example, is so understaffed that it takes up to nine or 10 months for prospective citizens to schedule an interview. But with thousands of new applicants expected to apply as a result of the Clinton citizenship drive, fundamental changes will be required that go beyond simply adding personnel.

Electronic filing of applications, waiving interviews for selected qualified applicants and having INS personnel visit schools, community organizations and work sites to conduct mass exams would all be steps in the right direction. Allowing permanent residents to apply after three years instead of the current five must also be given serious consideration. Creating citizenship outreach offices in partnership with community organizations can help naturalize large numbers of applicants. Keeping the existing filing fee of $90 instead of increasing the amount to $195, as some have proposed, would also encourage rather than discourage potential applicants.

Asian Americans, Latinos and other immigrant groups must join Meissner in helping local communities to streamline procedures, and to promote and expand the naturalization program. But the most daunting task of all is to impart to mainstream America the idea that becoming an American is a dream all of us must protect if we are to avoid the nightmare of an increasingly polarized country divided by debates over birthright.