Veasey Introduces Bill to Provide Tax Relief for Newly Naturalized U.S. Citizens
Legislation would help make U.S. citizenship more financially attainable for eligible immigrants
Washington, D.C. –Today, Congressman Marc Veasey introduced H.R. 6329, The Promise of Citizenship Act, that will make naturalized U.S. citizenship more affordable for green card holders. This legislationwill reduce the out of pocket costs of successfully applying for U.S. citizenship by providing a $500 refundable tax credit for newly naturalized citizens.
Of the 13.1 million legal permanent residents (LPRs) living in the United States, 8.8 million are currently eligible for citizenship. Despite the many benefits of citizenship such as the right to vote, the freedom to travel, and the ability to be fully integrated into the country they call home, over 5.8 million eligible LPRs have opted to remain in their current immigration status. According to a 2012 Pew Hispanic survey, the majority of immigrants want to adjust their status, but significant obstacles keep them from doing so. According to the same survey, 45% of Latino legal permanent residents (LPR) cited personal barriers such as lack of English proficiency as their reason for keeping their legal status while 26% cited administrative obstacles like the cost of naturalization.
The current fee to file the necessary paperwork to apply for naturalized U.S. Citizenship is set at $680 with an additional $85 biometrics fee. While this alone totals to over $750 dollars, additional costs may be accrued through the process of qualifying. Immigrants unfamiliar to the application process may have to pay a legal fee when hiring an experienced immigration lawyer and others may bear the costs of childcare and ESL courses that they need to feel more comfortable with the required civics and English language tests.
“Green card holders already actively contribute to our nation’s economy and to their communities,” Congressman Veasey said. “My legislation will make the promise of citizenship more attainable for all those who are willing to take the extra steps to call America home.”
Congressman Veasey proudly represents the over 230,000 immigrants that call Texas’ 33rd Congressional District home and advocates for the estimated 350,000 undocumented immigrants that currently contribute to the economic, social, and cultural growth of Dallas and Tarrant Counties.
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