American Jewish Committee National Initiative Celebrates New Americans On Citizenship Day

American Jewish Committee
Monday, 14 September 1998

American Jewish Committee chapters across the country will celebrate national Citizenship Day, which falls on September 17, by co-sponsoring local ceremonies that will swear-in thousands of new American citizens. Citizenship Day, which has been held annually for more than a decade, is a national observance that urges all Americans to reflect on the treasures, rights and obligations that come with citizenship.

The events are part of a national AJC initiative, "Becoming American: A Celebration of Naturalization and New Americans," designed to welcome new citizens as fully vested partners in the American nation and to raise public awareness about the important contributions immigrants make to cultural and economic life in the U.S. The events have received generous support from the Washington, D.C.-based Fannie Mae Foundation, whose New Americans Initiative promotes homeownership among this country's growing immigrant population.

AJC chapters in Baltimore, Dallas, Denver, Miami, Milwaukee, New Jersey, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and Portland, Ore., will hold naturalization events for nearly 4,000 people hailing originally from dozens of countries. The AJC initiative comes as large and growing numbers of eligible immigrants are choosing to naturalize. The number of applicants for naturalization has swelled from about 200,000 seven years ago to what will be well over 850,000 this year.

"Today's immigrants are clamoring for citizenship because, like the many generations of immigrants who came before them, they believe in the fundamental American values and democratic institutions that will allow them to live freely and with dignity," said Martin I. Bresler, chair of the Arthur & Rochelle Belfer Center of the American Pluralism which is coordinating the national AJC initiative. "Like most Americans, they are eager to take on the responsibilities of citizenship by abiding by American laws, participating in our political system and, as a disproportionate number have, serving the country in the armed forces.

"Most immigrants follow a path that is consummately American," Mr. Bresler added. "They raise strong, intact families, work hard to earn a living, pay taxes, start businesses that will help revitalize the economy of their local community and create jobs for others. Most speak English proficiently or, as oversubscribed English as a Second Language courses show, are trying to learn. Nearly all their children will speak English as their primary language. Many have brought to America the intellectual capital that keeps our industries at the cutting edge of the world markets. They are our neighbors, contributing to the revitalization and sustainability of our communities as U.S. citizens and homeowners."

In addition, survey research has shown that immigrants are three times more likely than all adults to place a high priority on owning a home, seeing it – along with naturalization – as one of the key factors to successful integration into American society

"The Fannie Mae Foundation is proud to collaborate with the American Jewish Committee in celebrating the important contributions immigrants make to enhance the rich and diverse fabric of America," said Ann Marie Wheelock, President and CEO of the Foundation.

Two of its publications, New Americans Guide: How to Become a Citizen, How to Become a Homeowner and Opening the Door to a Home of Your Own, will be distributed at this week's naturalization ceremonies.

The Fannie Mae Foundation transforms communities through innovative partnerships and programs that revitalize neighborhoods and create affordable homeownership and housing opportunities. The Foundation's New Americans Initiative assists immigrants in overcoming barriers to homeownership by providing home-buying information in multiple languages.

AJC is also working closely with federal Immigration and Naturalization Service staff, federal district court officers and other leading ethnic community groups to coordinate the events around the country.

For specific information about these local AJC events and AJC's national initiative, "Becoming American: A Celebration of Naturalization and New Americans," contact: Jeffrey Weintraub, Director, AJC's Belfer Center for American Pluralism, in Washington, D.C., 202-785-4200.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org