Anti-Immigrant Sentiment up, Naturalization Rates on the Rise: A Hit from the 1990s

The Los Angeles Times reports that the number of citizenship applications received in the Los Angeles area tripled in September compared with the same period last year, despite a major application fee increase. Nationwide, citizenship applications also increased in August and September compared with last year, according to new figures from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The applications are on track to surpass the 1-million mark, a milestone reached only twice in the last century — both times in the mid-1990s when a political backlash against immigrants motivated many to apply. “The anti-immigrant sentiment is bordering on the xenophobic, and people are taking notice of that,” said Evan Bacalao of the National Assn. of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund in Los Angeles. An alliance of hundreds of organizations last week launched a “100 Days” national campaign to urge immigrants to apply for citizenship in time for the 2008 election. Citizenship workshops will be held in more than 20 cities nationwide. Workshop information is available at www.yaeshora.info. Major Spanish-language media, including Univision Communications Inc. and ImpreMedia, which publishes La Opinion, will air and publish public service announcements urging legal permanent residents to apply for citizenship. In addition, the national Latino group this week launched a revolving loan fund initiative to provide zero-interest loans to help immigrants pay the citizenship application fee, which was increased from $400 to $675 on July 30. The $100,000 fund, provided in a grant from Advance America, a cash advance provider, will offer loans up to $400.

On another naturalization note, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has released a fact seet on naturalization through millitary service.

KJ