Washington, D.C. – Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) and the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) announced today the launch of “Naturalize NOW!”, a campaign encouraging eligible U.S. permanent residents to apply for U.S. citizenship.
Building on a record-breaking year for naturalization in 2022, Naturalize NOW! raises awareness of the benefits and importance of becoming a citizen, including securing the right to vote, access to better career opportunities and deepening connections to their communities. The campaign launches in the wake of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) plan to increase fees, nearly doubling green card fees and increasing the cost to apply for naturalization, creating additional barriers for low-income and working families to fully participate in shaping the nation.
“NPNA’s Naturalize NOW! campaign will support eligible immigrants and refugees in pursuing their dreams of becoming U.S. citizens. We must build a nation where immigrants, refugees, and all people can achieve their full social and economic potential,” said NPNA Executive Director Nicole Melaku. “The urgency of growing our democracy and the burden the USCIS fee increases would place on future U.S. citizens are why it is so important to Naturalize NOW. Our vote is our voice and by increasing the number of people getting naturalized we can make sure their voices are heard.”
As an NPNA member, APIAVote advocates nationwide for the creation of an accessible immigration system to build a nation where immigrants, refugees, and all people can achieve their full social and economic potential. Increasing naturalization is a vital step toward realizing the potential of a truly inclusive and participatory democracy, and will benefit not just immigrant and refugee communities, but the country as a whole.
“Immigrants and refugees are the heart of our nation and their contributions to our country make our communities, economy and culture vibrant and strong,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote. “AAPIs are among the fastest growing ethnic groups in the country. Our growing numbers give us the power to decide elections, to demand our elected officials act on behalf of us, and to determine our communities’ future. We are proud to be part of Naturalize NOW!, so that we can inspire more Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants to begin their citizenship journey so our communities can continue to grow our power and we can fulfill the dream of a truly representative democracy.”
