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New American Citizenship Act

Introduced: March 5, 1998 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 11, 1998
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims.
Mar 5, 1998
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 5, 1998
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

New American Citizenship Act - Directs the Attorney General to submit a plan (with monthly reporting requirements through a specified date) for ensuring backlog reduction at each Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) district and regional office.

(Sec. 4) Provides that INS standardized naturalization examinations shall: (1) have INS-certified proctors; and (2) not be administered by for-profit entities that also provide citizenship courses. Provides for: (1) an initial 24-month pilot testing program; and (2) dissemination of study materials.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) develop a plan to ensure the efficiency and integrity of the naturalization process, including a six-month maximum time for completion of such process; and (2) ensure that the naturalization fingerprint submission process deters naturalization fraud by requiring fingerprint cards to be sent directly to INS or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and by procuring the technology to institute INS electronic fingerprint checks.

(Sec. 7) Directs INS to ensure that a FBI criminal history background check is completed prior to an applicant's naturalization interview.

Requires naturalization applicants to demonstrate basic English language speaking and comprehension abilities at the time of the standardized naturalization examination or interview.

Requires INS to ensure that certificates of citizenship are not distributed prior to an applicant's taking the oath of allegiance.

(Sec. 8) Obligates specified INS appropriations for backlog reduction and technological and infrastructure changes.

What's happening now March 11, 1998

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2