Sec. 605. National citizenship promotion program
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/bill/113/hr/3163/ih/section-605·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than 6 months following the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish a program to assist aliens who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence in becoming citizens of the United States. The program required by paragraph
(1)shall be known as the New Americans Initiative (in this section referred to as the Program ). As part of the Program required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall— award grants in accordance with subsection (c); and carry out outreach activities in accordance with subsection (d). The Secretary of Homeland Security shall award grants to eligible entities to assist aliens who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence in becoming citizens of the United States. In this subsection, the term eligible entity means a not-for-profit organization that has experience working with immigrant communities. Grants awarded under this subsection shall be used for activities to assist aliens who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence in becoming citizens of the United States, including— conducting English language and citizenship classes for such aliens; providing legal assistance, by attorneys or entities recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals, to such aliens to assist such aliens in becoming citizens of the United States; carrying out outreach activities and providing education to immigrant communities to assist such aliens in becoming citizens of the United States; and assisting such aliens with applications to become citizens of the United States, as allowed by Federal and State law. Each eligible entity seeking a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary of Homeland Security at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary shall require. Each application submitted pursuant to subparagraph
(A)shall include a description of— the activities for which a grant under this section is sought; the manner in which the entity plans to leverage available private and State and local government resources to assist aliens who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence in becoming citizens of the United States; the experience of the entity in carrying out the activities for which a grant under this section is sought, including the number of aliens and geographic regions served by such entity; and the manner in which the entity plans to employ best practices developed by adult educators, State and local governments, and community organizations— to promote citizenship and civic participation by such aliens; and to provide assistance to such aliens with the process of becoming citizens of the United States. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall— develop outreach materials targeted to aliens who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence to encourage such aliens to apply to become citizens of the United States; and make such outreach materials available through— public service announcements; advertisements; and such other media as the Secretary determines is appropriate. Fees and fines deposited in the Security and Prosperity Account under section 286(w)(3)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act may be used to carry out this section.