Queens rep asks feds to make naturalization process easier

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng joined colleagues in calling for easier access to the naturalization process.  Eagle file photo by Paul Frangipane

By Jacob Kaye

A Queens lawmaker is calling on the federal government to lower the barriers to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.

In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ur Mendoza Jaddou, Rep. Grace Meng, California Rep. Norma Torres and Illinois Rep. Jesus Garcia called on the government to make a series of changes to the accessibility of the naturalization processes.

“Immigrants make our nation great and enrich and strengthen our society,” Meng said in a statement. “But the process that many face in seeking to become naturalized citizens can be overwhelming and challenging, and it’s time for that to change.

“We commend the work that the Department of Homeland Security has done to improve access to naturalization, and urge Secretary Mayorkas and Director Jaddou to continue these improvements by making the process easier and fairer,” she added. “There should be no barriers to naturalization; we must ensure that all immigrants have their shot at the American dream.”

The congressional leaders said that more information about the process should be provided to eligible populations, fees for naturalization and immigration applications should be waived and remote interviews and oath ceremonies should be implemented, among other changes.

“Naturalization must go hand in hand with the effort to legalize additional categories of immigrants to ensure the process is not a bottleneck to citizenship,” the letter reads. “Expanding access to naturalization can make our country more prosperous by enhancing the economic, civic and cultural contributions of [lawful permanent residents].”

There are currently around 9 million lawful permanent residents eligible for naturalization, the representatives said.

The letter follows a September bill introduced by Meng and Torres that would waive fees for naturalization.