“Resident immigrants have not been given the proper resources and assistance to become citizens. This has resulted in California having one of the lowest naturalization rates in the country – leaving out the 2.7 million resident immigrants currently eligible for naturalization here in California,” said Assemblymember De La Torre.

The New Californians Act, Assembly Bill 2060, would address this urgent need by providing comprehensive services coordinated through a proven collaborative community-based model. Through coordination and consistency of services, the initiative would ensure that eligible immigrants not only have access to naturalization services but also engage in a process toward citizenship that emphasizes increased civic engagement.

The New Californians Act was originally introduced last year but held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. However, in Governor Schwarzenegger’s recent budget proposal, the program was endorsed with a $1.5 million budget allocation, and has been funded in seven out of the last eight years without a clear legislative mandate.

“Our best investments are made in people,” said De La Torre, “The New Californians Act will promote new American citizens with a strong understanding and identification with our country’s institutions, civic networks and cultural life.”

AB 2060 is sponsored by the California Immigrant Welfare Collaborative (Asian Pacific American Legal Center; Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles; National Immigration Law Center; and Services and Immigrant Rights and Education Network) and Catholic Charities of California. Isabel Alegria 510.663.8282 ext. 302, and Jeannette Zanipatin 916.448.6762 ext. 202, from the California Immigrant Welfare Collaborative are also available for comment.