Sec. 102. Integration Success Grants
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/bill/114/hr/3201/ih/section-102A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary of Homeland Security may provide grants on a competitive basis to improve the economic, linguistic, and civic integration of immigrants and their children. An entity eligible to receive a grant under this section is a State or a unit of local government that submits to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, which may include— a proposal outlining the methods the entity intends to use to effectively carry out the activities funded by the grant; a sociodemographic profile of non-citizens living within the jurisdiction or service area of the entity; a description of opportunities and challenges in improving the economic, linguistic, and civic integration of immigrants; and a comprehensive plan to improve the coordination of relevant immigrant integration services.
An entity awarded a grant under this section may use the grant funds— to expand access to, and improve the quality of, programs supporting the economic advancement of immigrants in areas that include financial literacy, small business development, employment navigation, and training opportunities, including cultural competency training for State, county, and local government officials that provide direct services to immigrants and their families; to expand programs that provide basic adult education and contextualized English language skills that improve the literacy, numeracy, workforce skills, and educational attainment of immigrants over the age of 18; to expand access to programs that assist immigrants in learning English, obtaining recognized postsecondary credentials or employment, or in building measurable skills to lead to the attainment of an industry-recognized credential or certificate; and to educate immigrants about United States history, civics, citizenship rights and responsibilities, democracy, opportunities to engage in the civic life of their community, unit of local government, and State, and the navigation of local systems that support the economic, linguistic, and civic integration of individuals and families.
In awarding grants under this section, priority shall be given to— an entity that uses not less than ten percent of matching funds from non-Federal sources; an entity that collaborates with at least one public or private entity to carry out the comprehensive plan referred to under subsection (b)(4); and a State— that has a foreign born population of not less than 5 percent and that has experienced an increase in non-citizen residents that is higher than the national average during the most recent 10-year period, based on data compiled by the Office of Immigration Statistics or the United States Census Bureau, or a unit of local government located within such State; or that is one of the 10 States with the highest number of non-citizen residents, based on data compiled by the Office of Immigration Statistics or the United States Census Bureau, or a unit of local government located within such State.
In order to receive a payment under this section, a participating entity shall provide the Secretary with a certification that the proposed uses of grant funds by the entity are consistent with this section and meet all necessary criteria determined by the Secretary. Not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year for which an entity receives a grant under this section, such entity shall submit to the Secretary the following: A report that describes— the activities undertaken by the entity; the geographic area or areas served by the grant funds; and a description of the sociodemographic characteristics of individuals served by the grant funds.
An evaluation of any program of the entity that receives grant funds, including an assessment of— the effectiveness of such program and recommendations for improving the program; the future needs of immigrants to the United States; and the future needs of States and units of local government related to immigrant integration. In this section, the term State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
This section shall be in effect for a period of 10 fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 2018.