Biden’s interagency strategy for promoting naturalization

As KJ wrote earlier this week, July 4 independence day will bring naturalization ceremonies nationwide. In anticipation, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released this week an Interagency Strategy for Promoting Naturalization, which aims to break down barriers to naturalization for all who are eligible.  

This report reflects the collaboration of USCIS, the Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of State, Department of Labor, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, and the Social Security Administration, who are part of the interagency Naturalization Working Group. This working group was established pursuant to the President’s executive order to prioritize citizenship education and awareness through capacity building and expanded partnerships, which is at the heart of the interagency strategy. 

Since the beginning of the Biden administration, USCIS has taken a number of steps to restore confidence in the immigration system and to implement President Biden’s Executive Order 14012 (2021), which says:

“Our nation is enriched socially and economically by the presence of immigrants, and we celebrate with them as they take an important step of becoming United States citizens. The Federal Government should develop welcoming strategies that promote integration, inclusion, and citizenship and it should embrace the full participation of the newest Americans in our democracuy.”

In a USCIS press release, USCIS Acting Director Tracy Renaud said of the report’s release: “It is fitting that this report is being released days before our nation’s 245th birthday. There is no greater testament to the strength of America than our willingness to encourage others to join us as U.S. citizens as we work together to build a more perfect union.”  

MHC