 Espaillat y colegas del Congreso solicitan naturalización virtual para dar la bienvenida a los nuevos ciudadanos estadounidenses |
NEW YORK, NY – Hoy, el Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), copresidente del Caucus de Nuevos Estadounidenses (New American Caucus) y el único dominicano que sirve en el Congreso, se unió a su compañera copresidente del Caucus de Nuevos Estadounidenses, la Rep. Norma J. Torres (CA-35) y el Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46) para encabezar a 28 legisladores en solicitar a la presidenta de la Cámara de Representantes, Nancy Pelosi, y al líder de la minoría, Keven McCarthy, que el próximo paquete de financiación en respuesta al COVID-19 requiera que el Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de EE.UU. (USCIS) proporcione ceremonias de juramentación virtuales durante este pandemia y cualquier emergencia nacional declarada en el futuro que impida la administración normal de ceremonias de naturalización. Antes de la pandemia, el USCIS naturalizó un promedio de 66,000 personas por mes. Actualmente, más de 100,000 aspirantes a ciudadanos con solicitudes de naturalización aprobadas no pueden completar el paso final para convertirse en ciudadanos sin correr el riesgo de exponerse al COVID-19. Extracto clave: Al ordenar ceremonias de juramentación virtuales, el USCIS podría completar de inmediato la naturalización de más de cien mil personas, lo que generaría numerosos beneficios sociales y económicos. Con un mayor acceso a oportunidades cívicas y económicas, los ciudadanos naturalizados nos hacen una nación más fuerte y resistente. Ahora más que nunca, debemos hacer todo lo posible para apoyar a quienes están a solo unos pasos de obtener la ciudadanía, particularmente mientras miramos hacia el futuro. Los legisladores emitieron las siguientes declaraciones: "La pandemia de COVID-19 ha forzado a los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS) a suspender las ceremonias de naturalización en vivo y las entrevistas finales para unos 126,000 inmigrantes, los pasos finales en el largo proceso de convertirse en ciudadano estadounidense", dijo el Rep. Espaillat. “Esta demora en el proceso de naturalización significa que cientos de miles de ciudadanos laboriosos, que pronto serán ciudadanos, no pueden contribuir plenamente a una economía estadounidense en recuperación, pueden no ser elegibles para recibir asistencia crítica y corren el riesgo de perder los plazos para expresar sus recién ganados derecho a votar en nuestras elecciones. Me enorgullece unirme a mis colegas en el Caucus de Nuevos Estadounidenses para instar al USCIS a comenzar a celebrar ceremonias de naturalización virtuales, lo que permitiría a estos inmigrantes participar plenamente en la vida cívica y económica mientras nuestra nación lucha para derrotar esta pandemia. "La naturalización virtual proporcionaría beneficios vitales a más de 100,000 personas que ya están aprobadas para convertirse en nuestros conciudadanos", dijo la Rep. Torres. “También garantizaría que esta nación, construida y hecha próspera por los inmigrantes, continúe con esa rica herencia a pesar de los desafíos de COVID-19. Sin un costo asociado, no hay razón por la cual no debamos dar este paso para mantener el tejido de nuestra sociedad y apoyar a las familias en todo el país". "Estados Unidos es un país hecho por inmigrantes", dijo el Rep. Correa. “Para los miles que pronto serán estadounidenses, la ceremonia de naturalización es un momento de gran orgullo e inclusión. Estos inmigrantes laboriosos, respetuosos de la ley y que pagan impuestos se han ganado el derecho de ponerse de pie y jurar lealtad a nuestra nación y proclamar su amor por nuestro gran país. USCIS debe encontrar una manera de mantener vivas estas ceremonias”. La carta de los legisladores está disponible aquí. La carta fue firmada por un total de 31 legisladores: Los congresistas de EE.UU. Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Adriano Espaillat, Correa (NY-13), Lou Correa (CA-46), Ami Bera (CA-07), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Cheri Bustos (IL-17), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Juaquín Castro (TX-20), Judy Chu (CA-27), Sylvia García (TX-29), Jesús (Chuy) García (Il-04), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Kendra Horn (OK-05), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Grace Meng (NY-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Max Rose (NY-11), Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Mariana Islands), Darren Soto (FL-09), Jackie Speier (CA-14), Greg Stanton (AZ-09), Dina Titus (NV-01), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), y Frederica Wilson (FL-26). La carta está respaldada por 86 organizaciones: Asian American Federation of Florida, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA, Asian Counseling and Referral Service, Asian Law Alliance, Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center, Asian Pacific Development Center [colorado], Bonding Against Adversity [houston], Boundless Immigration, Boulder Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Immigration Justice Task Force, Canal Alliance [San Rafael, CA], CASA [MD, DC, VA], Caridades Católicas de la Arquidiócesis de Washington [dc], Servicios Legales Católicos, Inc., Arquidiócesis de Miami, Causa Oregon, Central American Resource Center of California (CARECEN LA), Central American Resource Center of DC (CARECEN DC), Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative (CVIIC), Chaldean Community Foundation [michigan], Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC), Citizenship News, Citizenshipworks, Coalition for Humane Immigrants Rights (CHIRLA) [Los Angeles], CUNY Citizenship Now!, East Bay Sanctuary Covenant [Berkeley, CA], Entre Hermanos [seattle], Esperanza Immigration Legal Services [philadelphia], Esperanza Legal Assistance Center/ Immigrant Connection at Heritage Church [Moline, IL], Filipino Advocates for Justice [Oakland, CA], Florida Asian Services, Florida Asian Women Alliance, Florida Chinese Federation, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO), GMHC [New York], HIAS Pennsylvania, Horn Of Africa Services [seattle], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Immigration Advocates Network, Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley, IMPRINT, Interfaith Refugee & Immigration Service [Los Angeles], International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit , International Rescue Committee, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, JOB (Justice Overcoming Boundaries), Kids in Need of Defense, Korean Community Center of the East Bay, Korean Community Services, Korean Resource Center, Latin American Coalition [Charlotte, NC], Make the Road New York, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF), Mi Familia Vota Education Fund, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, Mujeres Latinas en Accion [chicago], Muslim Women Resource Center, NALEO Educational Fund, NANAY CEDC [florida], National Immigration Forum, National Partnership for New Americans, New York Immigration Coalition, Niskanen Center, North Carolina Asian Americans Together, OCA-Greater Houston, OCA South Florida Chapter, OneAmerica [Washington State], Orange County Communities, Organized for Responsible Development, Promise Arizona, Proyecto Vida Digna [South Texas], Refugee Women’s Alliance, Self-Help for the Elderly, Service Employees International Union, SIREN (Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network), South Asian Network, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, The Education and Leadership Foundation [Fresno, CA], TODEC Legal Center [california], UnidosUS, West African Community Council [Washington State], World Education Services, World Relief. # # # Elegido por primera vez al Congreso en 2016, el congresista Adriano Espaillat está cumpliendo su segundo mandato en el Congreso, donde se desempeña como miembro del influyente Comité de Asuntos Exteriores, del Comité de Transporte e Infraestructura, y del Comité de Pequeños Negocios de la Cámara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos. Sirve como Coordinador Superior (Senior Whip) del Caucus Demócrata de la Cámara y es miembro del Caucus Hispano del Congreso (CHC) en el cual desempeña un papel de liderazgo como Coordinar (Whip) del CHC. También es presidente del Grupo de Trabajo sobre Transporte, Infraestructura y Vivienda del CHC. El Distrito Congresual del Cong. Espaillat incluye Harlem, East Harlem, el norte de Manhattan y el noroeste de El Bronx. Para obtener más información sobre el congresista Espaillat, visite la página de internet https://espaillat.house.gov/. |
For Immediate ReleaseMay 6, 2020
Espaillat and Congressional Colleagues Call for Virtual Naturalization to Welcome New American Citizens
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NEW YORK, NY – Today, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Co-Chair of the New American Caucus and the only Dominican American serving in Congress, joined with fellow New American Caucus Co-Chair, Rep. Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46) to led 28 lawmakers in requesting of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Keven McCarthy that the next COVID-19 funding package require U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) to provide remote oath ceremonies during this pandemic and any future declared national emergency that impedes the regular administration of naturalization ceremonies. Prior to the pandemic, USCIS naturalized an average 66,000 individuals per month. Currently, more than 100,000 aspiring citizens with approved naturalization applications cannot complete the final step to become a citizen without risking exposure to COVID-19. Key excerpt: In mandating virtual oath ceremonies, USCIS could immediately complete the naturalization of more than one hundred thousand individuals, leading to numerous social and economic benefits. With increased access to civic and economic opportunities, naturalized citizens make us a stronger and more resilient nation. Now more than ever, we must do everything we can to support those who are mere steps away from obtaining citizenship, particularly as we look towards the future. The lawmakers released the following statements: “The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to put on hold live naturalization ceremonies and final interviews for around 126,000 immigrants, the final steps in the long process of becoming an American citizen,” Rep. Espaillat said. “This delay in the naturalization process means hundreds of thousands of hardworking, soon-to-be citizens cannot fully contribute to a recovering American economy, may be made ineligible for critical assistance, and are at risk of missing deadlines to express their newly-earned right to vote in our elections. I am proud to join my colleagues in the New Americans Caucus in urging USCIS to begin holding remote naturalization ceremonies, which would allow these immigrants to fully participate fully in civic and economic life as our nation fights to defeat this pandemic. “Virtual naturalization would provide vital benefits to more than 100,000 people who are already approved to become our fellow citizens,” Rep. Torres said. “It would also ensure this nation, built and made prosperous by immigrants, continues that rich heritage despite the challenges of COVID-19. With no associated cost, there is no reason why we shouldn’t take this step to maintain the fabric of our society and support families across the country.” “America is a country made by immigrants,” Rep. Correa said. “For the thousands of soon-to-be-Americans, the naturalization ceremony is a moment of great pride and inclusion. These hardworking, law-abiding, and tax-paying immigrants have earned the right to stand up and pledge allegiance to our Nation, and proclaim their love for our great country. USCIS must find a way to keep these ceremonies alive.” The lawmakers’ letter is available here. The letter is signed by 31 lawmakers in total: U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Adriano Espaillat, Correa (NY-13), Lou Correa (CA-46), Ami Bera (CA-07), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Cheri Bustos (IL-17), Tony Cardenas (CA-29), Juaquin Castro (TX-20), Judy Chu (CA-27), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Jesus (Chuy) Garcia (Il-04), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Kendra Horn (OK-05), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Grace Meng (NY-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Max Rose (NY-11), Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Mariana Islands), Darren Soto (FL-09), Jackie Speier (CA-14), Greg Stanton (AZ-09), Dina Titus (NV-01), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), and Frederica Wilson (FL-26). The letter is endorsed by 86 organizations: Asian American Federation of Florida, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA, Asian Counseling and Referral Service, Asian Law Alliance, Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center, Asian Pacific Development Center [colorado], Bonding Against Adversity [houston], Boundless Immigration, Boulder Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Immigration Justice Task Force, Canal Alliance [San Rafael, CA], CASA [MD, DC, VA], Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington [dc], Catholic Legal Services, Inc., Archdiocese of Miami, Causa Oregon, Central American Resource Center of California (CARECEN LA), Central American Resource Center of DC (CARECEN DC), Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative (CVIIC), Chaldean Community Foundation [michigan], Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC), Citizenship News, Citizenshipworks, Coalition for Humane Immigrants Rights (CHIRLA) [Los Angeles], CUNY Citizenship Now!, East Bay Sanctuary Covenant [Berkeley, CA], Entre Hermanos [seattle], Esperanza Immigration Legal Services [philadelphia], Esperanza Legal Assistance Center/ Immigrant Connection at Heritage Church [Moline, IL], Filipino Advocates for Justice [Oakland, CA], Florida Asian Services, Florida Asian Women Alliance, Florida Chinese Federation, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO), GMHC [New York], HIAS Pennsylvania, Horn Of Africa Services [seattle], Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Immigration Advocates Network, Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley, IMPRINT, Interfaith Refugee & Immigration Service [Los Angeles], International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit , International Rescue Committee, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, JOB (Justice Overcoming Boundaries), Kids in Need of Defense, Korean Community Center of the East Bay, Korean Community Services, Korean Resource Center, Latin American Coalition [Charlotte, NC], Make the Road New York, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF), Mi Familia Vota Education Fund, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, Mujeres Latinas en Accion [chicago], Muslim Women Resource Center, NALEO Educational Fund, NANAY CEDC [florida], National Immigration Forum, National Partnership for New Americans, New York Immigration Coalition, Niskanen Center, North Carolina Asian Americans Together, OCA-Greater Houston, OCA South Florida Chapter, OneAmerica [Washington State], Orange County Communities, Organized for Responsible Development, Promise Arizona, Proyecto Vida Digna [South Texas], Refugee Women’s Alliance, Self-Help for the Elderly, Service Employees International Union, SIREN (Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network), South Asian Network, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, The Education and Leadership Foundation [Fresno, CA], TODEC Legal Center [california], UnidosUS, West African Community Council [Washington State], World Education Services, World Relief. # # # First elected to Congress in 2016, Rep. Adriano Espaillat is serving his second term in Congress where he serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Small Business Committee. He serves as a Senior Whip of the House Democratic Caucus and is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) where he also serves in a leadership role as CHC Whip. He is also chairman of the CHC Task Force for Transportation, Infrastructure and Housing. Rep. Espaillat’s Congressional District includes Harlem, East Harlem, northern Manhattan and the north-west Bronx. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/. |
