BORDER SECURITY, DETENTION, AND ENFORCEMENT

Comprehensive Immigration Reform for

America’s Security and Prosperity

(CIR ASAP) Act of 2009

TITLE I – BORDER SECURITY, DETENTION, AND

ENFORCEMENT

Subtitle A – Border Security:

Subtitle A of Title I assembles a vision of effective and accountable enforcement for the 21st

century through maximizing border security by requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to

form a national strategy that is consistent with the progress already made. In order to achieve

these goals, oversight and accountability for the Department of Homeland Security is

emphasized, especially as they pertain to fiscal appropriations and cost-benefit analyses of

operations and programs.

Protecting Our Borders: This subtitle protects United States border cities and communities

from violence and crime along the U.S.-Mexico border by:

􀂃 Creating a Southern Border Security Task Force that is composed of federal, state, and local

law enforcement officers

􀂃 Requiring a security plan for land ports of entry at the borders involved in international trade

􀂃 Expanding the programs under the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism that is in

accordance to the SAFE Port Act

􀂃 Improving the exchange of information between federal agencies on North American

Security by a conducting a targeted study of security clearance standards, document integrity,

immigration and visa management and coordination, terrorist watch lists and smuggling

operations

Effective Enforcement: Subtitle A achieves effective enforcement by improving personnel,

assets and technology. This section:

􀂃 Supports additional training, oversight and evaluation for agents who are the first face of

America at the borders

􀂃 Ensures that Customs and Border Protection have sufficient personal equipment like body

armor, weapons, and uniforms, and that Customs and Border Protection have sufficient assets

such as helicopters, power boats, motor vehicles and other electronic equipment

􀂃 Promotes standards for searches of electronic devices and appropriate training for agents in

conducting such searches

􀂃 Minimizes wasteful spending by developing and studying comprehensive uses of advanced

technologies, such as aerial and automated surveillance

􀂃 Requires an inventory prior to any increase of personnel assets and technology

Securing Ports of Entry: Our nation’s ports of entry are modernized for our economic benefit

and security by conducting a study of the infrastructure and operations to identify necessary

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improvements and projects to enhance border security and the flow of legitimate commerce and

travel. This section:

􀂃 Improves infrastructure and recalibrates resources and training to allow for more effective

screening of commercial goods and individuals so as to minimize threats to national security

at ports of entry

􀂃 Increases the number of full-time port of entry inspectors, agricultural specialists, and

support staff to improve the timely and safe flow of commercial goods and individuals

􀂃 Establishes a demonstration project to test and evaluate new port of entry technologies and

also refines existing technologies and operational concepts

Combating Criminal Activity: This subtitle recognizes the role of state law enforcement at the

border in combating criminal activity by creating border relief grant programs for Northern and

Southern border state, local and tribal law enforcement entities. This section:

􀂃 Enables better training and technical assistance for state and local partners that deals with

narcotics-related kidnapping, drug trafficking and the interdiction of weapons and currency

􀂃 Facilitates information-sharing and collaboration between federal and state partners

􀂃 Suspends the Operation Streamline program pending review of the goals, impacts and costbenefit

analyses

􀂃 Reimburses Northern and Southern border state and local prosecutors for prosecuting

federally initiated drug cases

􀂃 Provides expanded resources for Operation Armas Cruzadas and Project Gunrunner to

identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals involved in the trafficking and smuggling of

firearms between Mexico and the United States.

Improving Partnerships: The importance of border communities as partners and allies are

recognized as key in achieving effective enforcement by prioritizing community consultation in

developing enforcement policies, border protection strategies and training. This subtitle:

􀂃 Establishes the U.S.-Mexico Border Enforcement Commission and a Border Communities

Liaison Office to foster and institutionalize community consultation

􀂃 Prohibits military involvement in non-emergency border enforcement

􀂃 Prioritizes mitigating adverse impacts to federal, tribal, state, local and private lands, waters,

wildlife and habitats by promoting cross-agency development of comprehensive monitoring

and mitigation of ecological and environmental impacts of border security infrastructure and

activity

Combating Human Trafficking: Subtitle A requires the development and implementation of a

plan to improve coordination amongst federal and state partners to address human smuggling and

migrant deaths. This section calls for additional ICE agents dedicated to combating human

smuggling are stationed at ports of entry, requires reporting on migrant deaths, and establishes a

study of strategies used at the Southern border to address this problem.

Subtitle B – Detention:

Improving Conditions of Detention: The bill requires DHS to meet minimum requirements to

ensure the humane treatment of detainees. Minimum requirements include:

􀂃 Adequate medical and mental health screenings, evaluations, medically necessary treatment,

and continuing care

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􀂃 A review process for medical treatment requests and complete and confidential medical

records

􀂃 Reasonable access to telephones, affordable rates, and privacy protections for calls

􀂃 Protections from sexual abuse, care for victims, and reports and investigations of abuse

􀂃 Protection from transfers that fail to consider health and access to counsel

To ensure compliance with minimum detention conditions, the bill requires rulemaking and

enforcement. An independent immigration detention commission is established to investigate

and report on compliance. DHS must report the death of a detainee within 48 hours, and report

annually to Congress on the circumstances of all deaths in detention.

Protecting U.S. Citizens, Lawfully Present Immigrants, Vulnerable Populations, and

Communities: This section increases screening and protections during immigration-related

enforcement activities for U.S. citizens, Legal Permanent Residents, others lawfully present in

the U.S., and vulnerable populations. Social service agencies, translators, and legal services must

be available during enforcement activities. DHS will be required to:

􀂃 Issue regulations prohibiting apprehensions at enumerated community, educational, and

religious locations

􀂃 Provide access to legal orientation programs and access to counsel during enforcement

activities and for disabled individuals unable to fully participate in removal proceedings

􀂃 Give timely notice and service of immigration charges, as well as timely bond hearings if

detained more than 48 hours

This section increases protections for individuals subject to immigration detainers, limits the use

of detainers to confirmed removable aliens, and requires DHS to collect data and report on

detainer use. The unnecessary detention of refugees is prohibited. DHS is required to report to

Congress on the impact of immigration-related enforcement activities.

Improving Secure Alternative to Detention Programs: Criteria are established to guide

detention and release decisions and require release for vulnerable populations. Detention

decisions must be in writing, served upon detainees, and are subject to redetermination by an

immigration judge.

Protecting Family Unity: Families with children may not be separated except in exceptional

circumstances where alternatives to detention are not available. Residential, non-penal facilities

are developed for any necessary family detention with appropriate protections for children and

parental rights. The bill includes safeguards for families and children during immigration-related

enforcement actions by:

􀂃 Improving child welfare services for children separated from parents and guardians who are

in immigration detention or have been removed

􀂃 Requiring training for federal and state personnel who interact with separated children and

for staff at immigration detention facilities on parental rights, humanitarian, and due process

protections

􀂃 Ensuring protections for detained parents, guardians, and caregivers in immigration detention

to promote access to children, family courts, child welfare services, and consular officials

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Protecting Unaccompanied Alien Children: Training is required for DHS employees who

encounter unaccompanied alien children. Upon apprehension of an unaccompanied alien child,

immediate notice is required by DHS or ORR and transfer to ORR custody within 24 hours.

Subtitle C – Enforcement:

Protecting workers: Provides temporary visas and work authorization for detained workers

when they have been retaliated against by their employer for asserting their labor rights and they

agree to pursue labor claims against their employer. Also expands U visas to provide for

whistleblower protections with regard to worker exploitation, civil rights violations and

retaliation for exercising labor rights.

Address Reporting: Clarifies address reporting requirements

Ending Discrimination: Preempts any state or local law that discriminates against an individual

based on immigration status or imposes sanctions on any individual or entity based on the

immigration status of its clients, employees or tenants

Repeals the 287(g) program: Repeals the 287(g) program and clarifies that the authority to

enforce federal immigration law lies solely with the federal government

ICE Ombudsman: Establishes an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Ombudsman

Asylum: Eliminates the arbitrary 1-year bar to applying for asylum

Restores federal jurisdiction: Restores the federal courts of their jurisdiction to review

decisions and practices of DHS thereby also restoring the historic role that the courts play in

reviewing agency actions

TITLE II – EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION

This section sets up an employment verification system for employers to verify each new hire’s

authorization to work. The new system will eventually apply to all workers and all new hires,

and will be rolled out in phases, beginning with critical infrastructure employers and large

employers. The employment verification system:

􀂃 Creates significant civil penalties for employers who do not comply with the requirements

under the new system

􀂃 Establishes serious criminal penalties for knowingly hiring unauthorized aliens

􀂃 Debars employers who repeatedly violate these provisions from government contracts,

grants, and agreements

􀂃 Includes privacy safeguards by limiting the data that can be collected and stored in the

database and requiring the agencies to develop the system with maximum security and

privacy protections

􀂃 Requires the agencies to evaluate impact of system from a privacy perspective and complete

privacy impact statements

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􀂃 Prohibits creation of a national identification card

􀂃 Includes anti-discrimination provisions. Forbids employers from using the new system to

discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of nationality. Prohibits employers

from terminating employment due to a tentative non-confirmation, using the system to screen

employees prior to offering employment, or using the system selectively

􀂃 Allows an individual to register with the Social Security Administration and acquire a PIN

that would allow them electronic access to their file in the system, update their information,

and lock their file for purposes of employment

TITLE III – VISA REFORMS

Backlog Reduction and Numerical Limit Reforms:

Reduction of existing backlogs: Permits the “recapture” of unused employment-based visas and

family-sponsored visas from fiscal years 1992-2008 and allows future unused visa numbers to

roll over to next fiscal year. Immediate relatives are exempted from the annual cap on the

number of immigrant visas. This section increases the percentage limit of visas which may be

issued yearly to a single country.

Promotion of Family Unity: To recognize family unity principles and facilitate backlog

reduction, reclassifies spouses and children of lawful permanent residents as immediate relatives.

The government is given greater discretionary authority to waive unlawful presence bars to

reunite families upon a demonstration of hardship for applicant’s U.S. citizen or lawful

permanent resident family members.

Sons and daughters of Filipino World War II veterans: Exempts the sons and daughters of

Filipino WWII veterans from the annual numerical limitations.

Immigrants with Advanced Skills Exempt from Visa Cap: Exempts several categories of

highly skilled workers from the employment-based immigrant visa cap.

Retaining Workers Subject to the Green Card Backlog: Current nonimmigrant skilled

workers whose employer has petitioned for an employment-based green card on their behalf and

their dependents will be permitted to file an application for adjustment of status, regardless of

whether a visa is immediately available. An applicant under this section must pay a

supplemental $500 fee, to be used by DHS for backlog reduction and clearing security

background check delays. The Secretary shall provide employment and travel authorization in 3-

year increments while the application is pending.

Protection of Children and Families:

Relief for Orphans and Widows: Ensures that surviving spouses and children applying for

adjustment of status or naturalization, including spouses and children of asylees and refugees,

retain eligibility for waivers and other considerations that would have been available to them at

the time of the petitioner’s death.

Reform of Cancellation of Removal: Permits immigration judges greater discretion in

determining eligibility requirements for long-term lawful permanent residents seeking

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cancellation of removal. Eliminates prohibitions on including time spent in the United States

after becoming inadmissible or being placed in removal proceedings as counting towards

continuous presence requirements for cancellation of removal.

Protection for Refugees, Parolees or Asylees: Prohibits the removal of any individual who fled

his or her homeland for fear of persecution before the age of twelve and was subsequently

admitted into the United States as a parolee or refugee or was granted asylum in the U.S.

Enhanced Protections for Children: Revises current law to ensure that the children of fiancés

of United States citizens will be protected from aging out of eligibility to adjust to conditional

resident status by requiring that eligibility determinations are based on the child’s age at the time

the U.S. citizen files a petition for classifying the child’s parent as a fiancé or spouse. Eliminates

he requirement that stepchildren must have been under the age of 18 at the time the qualifying

marriage took place in order to be classified as a child for purposes of immigration eligibility.

Limits on Removal for Parents of U.S. Citizen Children: Permits an immigration judge to

decline to order the removal of the parent of U.S. citizen child if the judge determines that

removal would not be in the child’s best interests and the parent is not subject to removal based

on national security, terrorism or trafficking grounds.

Determinations under the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998: This section

amends the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 (HRIFA) to preserve eligibility

for children of applicants based on their age on the date of enactment of HRIFA and permits new

applications and motions to reopen on that basis.

Affidavit of Support: Revises the eligibility requirements for sponsorship of immigrants by

reducing the level of support required from 125% of poverty level to 100% of poverty level.

Return of Talent Program: Permits lawful permanent residents to temporarily return to their

home country to assist in post-conflict or natural disaster reconstruction activities, for up to two

years without losing credit towards time as a continuous resident of the U.S. for purposes of

applying for naturalization.

Humanitarian Visa Program to Prevent Unauthorized Migration (PUM Visa):

Prevent Unauthorized Migration Visa (PUM Visa) Creates a stop-gap new visa program that

will provide for safe, humanitarian migration during the three-year transition period before the

implementation of recommendations made by the new Labor Commission.

􀂃 One hundred thousand PUM visas will be made available annually, for three years, to

persons from sending countries of unauthorized migration to the United States to be

distributed on a percentage basis through a lottery system.

􀂃 Individuals may apply to the lottery if they are not present in the United States at the time of

filing, do not have other family or employment-based means to immigration, submit to

criminal background checks, and have completed less than a 4-year college degree program.

􀂃 Individuals awarded visas will be admitted to the United States as conditional residents and

may petition to remove the condition after three years upon showing they have good moral

character, pass all required background and security checks, comply with all tax requirements

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and other factors, including payment of a $500 fee that will be used to fund security and

employment programs.

TITLE IV – EARNED LEGALIZATION PROGRAM FOR THE

UNDOCUMENTED

Visa Program for Qualified Undocumented Workers: Creates a program providing

conditional nonimmigrant status for undocumented immigrants (and their spouses and children)

in the U.S., which is valid for six years.

Features of the Conditional Nonimmigrant Program:

􀂃 Provides conditional nonimmigrant visa applicants with work and travel authorization and

protection from removal

􀂃 Bars related to undocumented status will be waived (security and criminal bars cannot be

waived)

􀂃 Contains provisions for administrative and judicial review of denied applications

Requirements for Conditional Nonimmigrant Status: The alien must:

􀂃 Establish presence in the U.S. on the day of introduction, and continuously thereafter

􀂃 At time of registration, attests to contributions to the U.S. through employment, education,

military service, or other volunteer/community service (with exemptions for minors, persons

with disabilities, the elderly, or other unusual circumstances)

􀂃 Complete criminal and security background checks

􀂃 Pay a $500 fine plus necessary application fees (fine exemption for children and certain

immigrants who initially entered the U.S. before the age of 16)

􀂃 The individual shall be ineligible to receive a visa as a result of a serious criminal conviction,

persecution of another person or reasonable grounds for believing that the alien committed a

particularly serious crime abroad

􀂃 There is a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment for anyone who willfully falsifies

information in an application for conditional nonimmigrant status

Adjustment of Status to LPR: Provides qualified conditional nonimmigrants and their spouses

and children with an opportunity to apply for lawful permanent resident status (green card) and

eventual citizenship.

Features of the Earned Adjustment of Status Program:

􀂃 No green cards may be issued under this program earlier than six years after the date of

enactment unless existing immigrant backlogs have been cleared before that time

􀂃 The Department of State and DHS are required to provide any requesting law enforcement

entity with information furnished on an application in connection with a criminal or national

security investigation or prosecution

􀂃 New penalties for making false statements in an application for earned citizenship are created

􀂃 Immigrants who adjust from a conditional nonimmigrant visa (including dependents) to

lawful permanent resident status shall not be counted against the worldwide numerical visa

caps

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􀂃 Those appealing decisions associated with the application for adjustment to permanent status

have access to a defined administrative and judicial process

Special Rule for Persons Brought to the United States Before the Age of 16: In order to

simplify processing of applicants under CIR ASAP, those persons ordinarily covered under the

DREAM Act will apply for status through the same program outlined above, with the following

special features:

􀂃 No fines for persons who were brought to the United States before the age of 16, have

resided in the U.S. for at least five years, and were 35 years of age or less

􀂃 Such persons will be eligible for accelerated LPR status upon graduation from high school,

and completion of two years of college, military service, or employment. Persons granted

LPR status under this provision will be eligible for naturalization three years after the date

LPR status is granted

􀂃 Graduation from a U.S. high school or receipt of an equivalency degree will meet the English

proficiency requirement

􀂃 Individual states permitted to determine residency requirements for in-state tuition purposes

Requirements for Earned Adjustment: The applicant must:

􀂃 Demonstrate contribution to the United States through employment, education, military

service, or voluntary or community service, where applicable

􀂃 Complete criminal and security background checks

􀂃 Establish registration under the Selective Service (if applicable)

􀂃 Meet English and civics requirements

􀂃 Undergo a medical examination

􀂃 Pay all taxes

􀂃 Show admissibility to the U.S

Other Provisions in Title IV:

􀂃 AgJOBS Act of 2009

TITLE V – STRENGTHENING AMERICA’S WORKFORCE

Title V of CIR ASAP strengthens America’s workforce by reforming the badly-flawed H-1B, H-

2B and L-1 visa programs and establishes a Commission on Immigration and Labor Markets to

provide researched, unbiased, accurate recommendations for future flows of workers. It also

permanently reauthorizes the EB-5 visa program and establishes stricter requirements for

employers and recruiters of foreign workers. Title V additionally establishes the American

Worker Recruit and Match System which will match qualified individuals with job opportunities

in fields that traditionally have relied on unauthorized labor. Furthermore, this title establishes

the Security and Prosperity Account which directs funds raised from fines in the earned

legalization program to fortify America’s workforce, integrate new Americans and safeguard our

borders.

Commission on Immigration and Labor Markets: Title V establishes a new independent

federal agency known as the Commission on Immigration and Labor Markets. The Commission

will:

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􀂃 Establish employment based-immigration policies that promote economic growth and

competitiveness while minimizing job displacement, wage depression and unauthorized

employment

􀂃 Create and implement a policy-focused research agenda on the economic impact of

immigration on multiple levels

􀂃 Collect and analyze information on employment-based immigration and publish the data and

analysis

􀂃 Recommend to Congress and the President appropriate methods for determining the levels of

employment-based immigration and assessing the effects of such immigration as well as the

numerical levels and characteristics of procedures for future flows of workers to be admitted

into the United States

Security and Prosperity Account: The Security and Prosperity Account is established in Title

V to fund efforts to strengthen our workforce, including:

􀂃 Grants to states for adult and dislocated worker employment and training activities

􀂃 Funding for the Electronic Employment Verification System to ensure that all individuals

working in the U.S. are authorized to do so

􀂃 Funding for the Commission on Immigration and Labor Markets to provide sound,

researched and objective employment based immigration policy

􀂃 Dislocated workers assistance national reserve funding

􀂃 Establishment of AWRMS programs and funds educational purposes

􀂃 Funding to reduce the USCIS visa backlog to ensure a timely and reliable process for all

individuals applying for visas and further the integration of new Americas with programs

that, for example, facilitate citizenship for legal permanent resident students and create

citizenship promotion services

􀂃 Funding for border security, detention and enforcement activities

American Worker Recruit and Match System: Title V establishes the American Worker

Recruit and Match System (AWRMS), which is an internet-based program that is set up by each

State Workforce Agency (SWA) to be incorporated into current Web-based job search engines.

AWRMS is a searchable database that allows employers to post job opportunities in fields that

have traditionally relied on unauthorized labor. In addition, individuals can post their

employment profiles and AWRMS will match employers with qualified individuals.

Protecting Workers: Title V protects foreign workers from exploitation and abuse by ensuring

that each prospective employee is provided a written description of the terms of their

employment which may not knowingly include any misleading or false information. In addition,

each employer must provide to the Secretary of Labor the identity of all recruiters working on

their behalf and any possible violations committed by a recruiter. An employer will be held

responsible for the actions of a recruiter and may be subject to civil penalties.

H-1B visa program: The current H-1B visa program does not adequately protect American or

H-1B workers. Title V reforms the H-1B visa program to:

􀂃 Ensure that before an employer can hire an H-1B worker, the employer must meet strict

requirements for the recruitment of American workers

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􀂃 Authorize the Department of Labor (DOL) to initiate investigations into possible fraud and

abuse in the absence of a formal complaint and/or the Secretary’s approval.

􀂃 Increase penalties for violations

􀂃 Authorize the DOL to conduct annual audits of employers that rely heavily on the H-1B

program

L-1 visa program: The L-1 visa program is currently vulnerable to fraud and abuse. CIR ASAP

authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to audit L-1 visa participants. Penalties will be

assessed for violations of the provisions of the L-1 visa program.

H-2B visa program: The H-2B visa program is reformed to prevent the exploitation of H-2B

non-immigrants and the depression of wages and other workplace abuses by exploitative

employers. Reforms to the program:

􀂃 Include stricter requirements for recruitment of American workers

􀂃 Prevent employers from participating in the program if they have conducted a mass lay-off in

the past year and includes strengthened worker protections

EB-5 Visa program: The EB-5 Visa program is permanently reauthorized within Title V with

an increase in available visas to 10,000. It also allows for an expedited processing of petitions

for a fee of $2,500. The definition of Targeted Employment Area (TEA) is expanded to include:

􀂃 Rural areas,

􀂃 High-unemployment areas

􀂃 Counties with a 20 percent or more population decrease since 1970

􀂃 Areas within the boundaries of state or federal economic development incentive programs

􀂃 Areas designated as TEAs by a state agency authorized by the Governor

􀂃 Areas designated as TEAs during the two year period before visa application

In addition, Title V requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to study and report on the

current job creation counting methodology and how to promote the employment creation

program to overseas investors. Lastly it creates a new category of job-producing foreigners

eligible for visas: venture capitalist seeking a Founder’s visa.

TITLE VI – INTEGRATION OF NEW AMERICANS

Immigration Fees: Immigration fees have risen steeply in the past decade. Title VI will ensure

that future fee increase requests receive closer scrutiny than provided by the largely perfunctory

regulatory public comment process. Title VI incorporates and expands on provisions of the

Citizenship Promotion Act of 2007 to make citizenship more accessible and affordable. This

title:

􀂃 Provides for greater transparency for immigration application fees and encourages a uniform

process to submit fee waiver applications

􀂃 Provides for uniform administration of the naturalization exam

􀂃 Promotes citizenship of the elderly by adjusting the age requirements for English language

exemption

Improving the Naturalization Process: The process for naturalization is lengthy and difficult to

navigate. Title VI creates reforms that encourage citizenship among immigrant communities.

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This section requires timely response on background checks and evaluates their efficiency. In

addition, this title includes a grant program for community based organizations to promote and

help immigrants prepare for citizenship. These grants in support of naturalization efforts will

assist legal permanent residents with:

􀂃 English language and citizenship classes

􀂃 Legal assistance

􀂃 Community outreach activities

􀂃 Assisting aliens with applications for citizenship

Integration Grant Programs:

Title VI includes a grant program for education, training and support efforts relating to the

provisions of the CIR ASAP Act, including protections from immigration fraud and the

availability of benefits provided by the act. Provisions ensure that to the extent possible, the

nonprofit community organizations receiving grants serve geographically diverse and ethnically

diverse locations.

USCIS Grant Program: Title VI establishes a grant program within USCIS that provides

funding to community-based organizations, including community-based legal service

organizations, as appropriate, to develop and implement programs to assist eligible applicants for

naturalization. Grants provided for in Title VI will be funded through fees and fines deposited in

the Security and Prosperity Account.

Initial Entry, Adjustment, and Citizenship Assistant Grant Program: Title VI establishes

the Initial Entry, Adjustment and Citizenship Assistance Grant Program. IEACA grants will be

awarded to community-based organizations for the design and implementation of programs to

provide the following services:

􀂃 Assistance and instruction, including legal assistance, to aliens making initial application for

conditional nonimmigrant or conditional nonimmigrant dependent classification

􀂃 Assistance and instruction, including legal assistance, to aliens seeking to adjust their status

􀂃 Assistance and instruction to applicants on the rights and responsibilities of US citizenship

and English language proficiency

Improving Naturalization for Legal Permanent Residents: Facilitates citizenship among

Legal Permanent Resident students that want to naturalize. Legal Permanent Resident students

will be deemed to have satisfied the language and civics requirements for naturalization if they

are able to demonstrate they graduated high school after completing grades 6 through 12 in the

United States and the curriculum reflects knowledge of U.S. history, Government, and civics.

Strengthening Communities: Title VI strengthens and unites communities by creating

incentives for English language acquisition programs. Creates tax credits for teachers in limited

English proficient schools. Provides employers with a tax credit for qualified English language

education programs. Authorizes states to form State New American Councils comprised of 15-

19 individuals from state and local government, business and community organizations.

Celebrating Citizenship: Title VI celebrates the citizenship of new Americans and encourages

these individuals to integrate into their communities. It provides for the availability of funds to

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the Director of USCIS or to approved public or private nonprofit entities to support public

ceremonies for administering oaths of allegiance to naturalizing legal immigrants. Independence

Day naturalization ceremonies include appropriate outreach, ceremonial, and celebratory

activities. This program shall be funded through fees and fines deposited in the Security and

Prosperity Account.

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For more information on this or any other topics contact the offices of  J. David Peña at 305.373.5550 or info@myvisausa.com