A California congressman introduced a bill last month to create high school elective classes that would teach and prepare immigrant high school students for the U.S. citizenship exam. The bill would authorize $150,000 to launch a pilot program to help high schools developed the classes, which would be based on the current
citizenship
exam.
"It would give them a better understanding of what it means to become a U.S. citizen," said Rep. Joe Baca (D-San Bernardino).
The bill would also help motivated and successful students create a path towards
citizenship
. The goal of the bill is also to ensure that students understand the underlying values of the country's fundamentals and democracy.
Baca has indicated that he plans to introduce a follow-up piece of legislation that mandates that all students who successfully complete three years of high school citizenship classes with at least a C average will be place on a streamlined path for
citizenship
.
"Right now, there's no light at the end of the tunnel for many of these kids," Baca said. "Even if they graduate from high school, they can't get a job and become productive citizens. As a result, many end up dropping out or working under the table."
But some members of congress have already expressed concerned about the potential legislation. Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) said his support of the bill would largely depend on how it is written.
Lewis is "concerned that this creates a potential (citizenship) pathway for some people that other people wouldn't have access to," said spokesman Jim Specht. "There's always a chance for fraud in those kinds of programs."
Specht said that Lewis also wonders if what would be taught in the citizenship classes would be any different than what is already being taught in American history and civics classes.
When asked about what she thought about Baca's legislation, the president of the San Bernardino City Unified School District said she hadn't heard or read anything about it. But she did express some enthusiasm.
"The concept sounds wonderful," said Teresa Parra. "Anytime you talk about being more civic-minded and being more involved in the process of education, that's a good thing. But I am concerned that if we are going to be asked to provide that kind of program, we would have to make sure it's funded 100 percent, which almost never happens in Congress."
Baca will reintroduce his bill next term when the Congress resumes session on January 23.
To learn more about
citizenship & naturalization
, contact an
immigration attorney
near you!