Thread: Official: Citizenship backlog over

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Official: Citizenship backlog over
By PATRICK McGEE
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER

DALLAS -- Immigration officials have eliminated their backlog of citizenship applications and are ready for any major change in immigration policy from the new Democratic-led Congress. A revised citizenship test is on the way, and immigrants will have to pay higher fees to take it.

That's what Emilio Gonzalez, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said Tuesday when he met with reporters.

Possible overhaul

President Bush has proposed allowing the estimated 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants in the country to become citizens. The Senate passed a bill that offered a path to citizenship for many illegal immigrants, but it never got through the House, which was much more focused on tougher immigration enforcement.

Some believe an immigration overhaul is now possible because of the Democratic takeover of Congress. Gonzalez would not specify what he expects Congress to do, but said his agency is ready to implement any new policies.

"We are ready for comprehensive immigration reform," Gonzalez said. "We are ready to take our cue."

The backlog

Citizenship and Immigration Services ombudsman Prakash Khatri has said in reports that the agency gets more complaints about delays in processing citizenship applications than anything else.

On Tuesday, Gonzalez reasserted that the agency's backlog was eliminated in September. He disagreed with the ombudsman's statement that the backlog was counted in a way to make it appear to have been eliminated.

Citizenship application fees

Citizenship and Immigration Services is a $2.5 billion-a-year agency that supports itself with fees, and fees must go up to keep the operation running, Gonzalez said.

It now costs $330 to apply for U.S. citizenship. Gonzalez said that he does not know how much fees will rise, but that he is sure it won't discourage applications.

"We're a federal agency, but we get no appropriations," he said. "We have to be solvent every single day.

"I don't think we'll be dissuading anyone from becoming a citizen because the fees are going up," Gonzalez said. "American citizenship is priceless."

The new citizenship test

Gonzalez praised the new citizenship exam that will be tested in 10 cities, including San Antonio and El Paso. The revised test is scheduled to be used nationwide in 2008. The test and its study materials push for a better understanding of the United States and its democratic government, instead of memorization of facts.

"You'll have a better understanding of what you're raising your right hand for when you become a citizen," Gonzalez said. "Instead of 'What are the three branches of government?' the question could be 'Why do we have three branches of government?'"

The Founding Fathers created three branches of government -- Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidency -- so they would check and balance one another and keep one branch of government from becoming too powerful, historians say.

Patrick McGee, 817-685-3806 pmcgee@star-telegram.com

I don't know about the citizenship part of immigration being caught up. There are people I know of who are still waiting to be processed and have been for months. I will have to ask an immigration lawyer.

On Tuesday, Gonzalez reasserted that the agency's backlog was eliminated in September. He disagreed with the ombudsman's statement that the backlog was counted in a way to make it appear to have been eliminated.

Ya....this is probably as accurate as the stats they have that claim we are at an all time low with unemployment and NEED more immigrants legal and otherwise to do these jobs.