(Updated September 25, 2006)

H.R. 5323
Proud to Be an American Citizen Act 

Floor Situation

The House is scheduled to consider H.R. 5323, under suspension of the rules, on Monday, September 25, 2006.  It is debatable for 40 minutes, may not be amended, and requires a two-thirds majority vote for passage.

Summary

The Proud to be an American Citizen Act permits the Secretary of Homeland Security to make available funds each fiscal year to the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or to public or private nonprofit entities to support public ceremonies for administering oaths of allegiance to legal immigrants whose applications for naturalization have been approved.

Under H.R. 5323, the ceremonies shall be held on a date that is on or near Independence Day, and shall include appropriate outreach, ceremonial, and celebratory activities.

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall select the site for each ceremony conducted with funds under this section, and the ceremonies shall not exceed $5,000.

Background

Congress finds that  The United States is a nation of immigrants. Immigrants strengthen the economic and political ties of the United States with other nations. Immigrants enhance the Nation's ability to compete in the global market. Immigrants contribute to the Nation's scientific, literary, artistic, and other cultural resources. A properly regulated system of legal immigration is in the Nation's interest. The Naturalization Oath of Allegiance impresses on new United States citizens the shared American values of liberty, democracy, and equal opportunity, and the obligation to respect and abide by the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights. Naturalization rewards legal immigrants who have abided by all United States laws and Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations. Naturalization bestows all the legal rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a United States citizen.

Legislative History

H.R. 5323 was introduced by Rep. Farr (CA) on May 9, 2006. The bill was ordered to be reported from the Judiciary Committee, by voice vote, on June 29, 2006. House Report 109-576 was filed on July 17, 2006. 

For additional information or questions, please contact the Judiciary Committee at 5-3951.