Higher fee, new test prompt dash for citizenship

LOS ANGELES – Citizenship applications are skyrocketing across the nation, as green-card holders rush to avoid a proposed fee increase, a revised civics test and possible changes in immigration law.

Applications filed in Los Angeles and six surrounding counties shot up to 18,024 in January from 7,334 in the same month last year, a 146 percent increase, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Nationwide, the number hit 95,622, up from 53,390, a 79 percent increase.

The jump is the largest in a decade, officials said. The numbers of applications first spiked last March with mass immigrant rights rallies and saw the most dramatic increase after the new year.

The filings are expected to continue as Congress prepares to restart the debate on immigration reform.

“Every time we have this much talk of immigration in the news and on the Hill, we get a lot more interest,” said CIS spokeswoman Marie Sebrechts. “We tend to see a surge in applications.”

After last year’s marches, immigrant rights advocates launched a campaign to produce 1 million new citizens and registered voters. They fell far short of their goal by the November election, but advocates said they were pleased with the number of immigrants who are applying for naturalization.

“People are really invested in the entire debate,” said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. She said many immigrants have asked themselves, “How am I going to protect myself in this country if I am not a U.S. citizen?”

There are an estimated 8 million permanent legal residents who are eligible to apply for citizenship. An additional 12 million illegal immigrants are believed to reside in the United States.

This month, community groups and faith-based organizations are gearing up for another citizenship drive before the proposed new fees and exam would take effect. The new effort is called, “Ya Es Hora. ¡Ciudadania!” (It’s time. Citizenship!) and features media blitzes and workshops to help educate immigrants about the process.

Citizenship application and fingerprint fees would increase from $400 to $675 in June under the CIS proposal, Sebrechts said. And a new test, which would require a better understanding of the nation’s history and democratic principles, is set to take effect next year.

Green-card holders – legal permanent residents – may apply for citizenship after living five years in the United States, or three years if they are married to a U.S. citizen. They must pass civics and English tests, be of “good moral character,” and take an oath of allegiance.