Governor’s budget recognizes
the need of New Americans

Marcony Almeida

Governor Patrick’s Budget Recommendation for FY 2009 released last week includes increased funding for the Citizenship for New Americans Program. The budget line item, which was $500,000 during the previous administration but will increase to $1,250,000 this year, is a welcome recognition of the urgent need for this program, and a positive step toward meeting the needs of many low-income immigrants who dream of becoming US citizens. This funding has helped 1,300 green cards holders to naturalize since last year, after receiving English, Civics and History classes, and assistance with complicated immigration forms.
 
The money is administered by the state Office for Immigrant and Refugees (ORI) who distributes it to community-based organizations that provide citizenship services. But, the need for such services is even greater. In Chelsea, the Centro Latino provides citizenship classes and assistance in the naturalization process to many Latinos who reside in the city and its neighboring communities, like Everett and Revere. But, there’s always a waiting list due to lack of resources. In Everett, another non-profit organization called Latinos United in Massachusetts (LUMA) also provides citizenship services, but the Executive Director, Lucy Pineda, says that since they do not have sufficient funds to pay more staff to provide the services, many people who cannot afford a lawyer end up delaying the naturalization process.

If the budget line item increase passes the House and the Senate budgets, around 10 more non-profits across the state will be able to provide the assistance. “The Patrick administration wisely chose to increase investment in the Citizenship for New Americans Program. This investment not only helps permanent residents through the difficult steps of getting US citizenship, but also helps all MA taxpayers,” said Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition.

As industries, employers and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts struggle with the adverse consequences of a dwindling working-age population - such as contending with decreased state revenues and potentially losing a Representative in Congress - the need for new Americans in Massachusetts continues to grow. In cities and towns across the Commonwealth, immigrant families are working hard, learning the language, and hoping to integrate into civic and communal life of our state, following the footsteps of past generations who saw Massachusetts as a beacon of hope. Immigrant communities across the state welcome the Governor’s recognition of the urgent need to support this program.