On National Citizenship Day, ICIRR got out the bling. Why? To take a symbolic stand against skyrocketing fees and tougher tests that have put citizenship out of reach of the average immigrant. Under the banner of "No Gold Card Citizenship," advocates and would-be citizens marched- with some big-time bling- to the Chicago citizenship headquarters. There they delivered a giant, golden credit card petition to highlight the question, "Is US citizenship going to be just for the rich?" 

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Today, we released a report entitled, Priced Out: U.S. Citizenship, a privilege for the rich and well-educated?  The report reveals a shocking decline in the number of U.S. citizenship applications over the past year, due to growing barriers in the path of would-be citizens. Exorbitant fees have increased 610% in the last 10 years, and changes in the new  test primarily impact legal immigrants of low-income and less-educated backgrounds. We have to ask, is U.S. citizenship now a privilege reserved only for the rich and well educated? Read more…

One of the biggest hurdles to obtaining citizenship today is the exorbitant fee the families need to pay to the U.S. government if they want to take this important step to be fully integrated into their communities. The Interfaith Leadership Project (ILP) announces a new micro loan program in the area of Cicero-Berwyn for people who cannot afford the citizenship application cost. 

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An eager batch of would-be citizens delivered a letter of discontent to the Chicago branch of USCIS today, demanding that the agency do something about the ongoing backlogs and delays that will keep these New Americans from voting in November. Read more…

On Tuesday, April 15th, over 100 new American citizens and 200 immigrant, community, and religious leaders from across Illinois journeyed to the State Capitol. New citizens from the Asian, Polish, Muslim, Arab and Latino communities were recognized for becoming active participants in the civic life of this country. They were met with a standing ovation in the State legislature! Read more…