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National Service Program
Densy
/ Indonesia Media
 Issue: (NSP) Naturalization Service Program: The Governor is in the process of his final review of the state budget proposal, which includes $5million for the Naturalization Services Program (NSP). This vital program provides funds to local governments and community based groups to help immigrants through the naturalization process. Governor Schwarzenegger needs to hear from us now to protect and maintain this important program in the budget.
Action: Phone Calls Needed to Protect Natural Services Program (NSP) in the Budget. Please phone Governor's office today to register your support for the Naturalization Service Program.
Phone: 916-445-2841 in Sacramento, or a local Governor's office
(Sacramento's switchboard might be full)
Deadline: Immediate
Background Information:
• More than one-quarter of California’s residents are foreign born, a rate higher than any other state in the country. Approximately 9.4 million California residents are immigrants. 3.2 million lawful permanent residents are now eligible for naturalization.
• It is time California made naturalization a state priority. California’s immigrant communities come from diverse countries, speak more than 250 languages, and live in all 58 of the state’s counties. Immigrants and their families are essential to California’s economic future and will significantly impact the state for decades to come.
• NSP provides needed assistance to immigrants who are eligible to naturalize but face barriers.
 • Last year, California invested $3 million in naturalization services, and the current budget proposal raises that to $5 million, a sorely needed increase in support. While this is a good start, California still lags behind other states in promoting citizenship and immigrant integration. Naturalization is a key entry point into full civic and political participation. As immigrants integrate into society, their investment in the health of our schools, businesses and infrastructure increases. Because naturalization is in our state’s interest, California should appropriate more funds towards naturalization services.
Why now? States must play a role in reversing federal barriers to naturalization: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues its campaign to erect more and more obstacles for immigrants who wish to become citizens including a proposed increase in citizenship fees and a proposal to substantially change the current naturalization test. Support for NSP is crucial to helping immigrants who want to naturalize to overcome some of the barriers to naturalization.
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