Sec. 302. Grants to States

528 words·~2 min read·/bill/113/hr/1258/ih/section-302

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Subject to subsections

(c)and (d), the Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration is authorized to provide competitive grants to States to form State New American Councils as described in subsection

(b)to carry out activities described in section 303. A State New American Council shall consist of not less than 15 and not more than 19 individuals from the State and shall include, to the extent practicable, representatives from the following sectors: Business. Faith-based organizations. Civic organizations. Philanthropic leaders. Nonprofit organizations, including those with experience working with immigrant communities. Representatives from key education stakeholders, such as State educational agencies, local educational agencies, community colleges, teachers, or organizations representing teachers and other employees. Representatives of State adult education offices. Representatives of State or local public libraries. Representatives of statewide or local government officials. The Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration may award a grant under subsection

(a)to a State without requiring the State to form a State New American Council if the Chief determines that the State is carrying out similar statewide initiatives to introduce immigrants into the State and into the United States. The Chief shall establish guidelines for awarding grants to States described in paragraph (1). The Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration may provide a grant under subsection

(a)to a local government at the discretion of the Chief. To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an applicant shall submit an application to the Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Chief may reasonably require. Such application shall include— if the applicant is a State seeking to form a State New American Council, an assurance that such State New American Council will meet the requirements of subsection (b); the number of immigrants in the State in which the applicant is located; a description of the challenges in introducing new Americans in the State and local community; and any other information that the Chief may reasonably require. A grant awarded under subsection

(a)shall be for a period of 5 years. Priority shall be given to grant applications that— use matching funds, from non-Federal sources, which may include in-kind contributions; and demonstrate collaboration with private entities to achieve the goals of their comprehensive plan. Additional consideration shall be given to grant applications submitted by States with a large increase in the population of immigrants over the previous 10 years relative to past migration patterns, based on data compiled by the Office of Immigration Statistics of the Department of Homeland Security. The amount of a grant awarded under subsection

(a)shall be not less than $500,000 and not more than $5,000,000 for each fiscal year. The Chief of the Office of Citizenship and Immigrant Integration shall reserve not more than 1 percent of the amount appropriated to carry out this section for such Office, including the evaluation of funds distributed. A State awarded a grant under subsection

(a)may reserve not more than 10 percent of such grant amount for the creation and operation of the State New American Council.