Rhetoric In Presidential Campaign Spurs Immigrants To Seek Citizenship
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Congressman Luis Gutierrez and other advocates for immigrants said the race for president has prompted more immigrants than ever to go through the process and expense of applying for citizenship, either out of fear or to make their voices heard at the polls.
Josh Hoyt, executive director of the National Partnership for New Americans, said advocacy groups and unions across the country have been helping thousands and thousands of immigrants who are scraping together the money for fees, and taking lessons on U.S. citizenship this year.
"We and our volunteers have physically filled out the 21-page application to naturalize for 12,781 legal permanent residents," he said.
Gutierrez said his Chicago staff alone helped file 439 applications last week, and people told them the anti-immigrant rhetoric of some candidates spurred them to seek citizenship.
"They're saying, after so many years living in this country, people are saying it's time for me to vote. Other people just say they're frightened about the future," he said.