Why You Might Not Be a Citizen…Yet
Citizenship. It is one of the most coveted privileges the United States government bestows. Despite its critical importance, tens of thousands of immigrants born abroad seeking to naturalize have run into severe administrative backlogs since 2002. These individuals have satisfied the requirements to become U.S. citizens but nevertheless have been illegally left in limbo—some for up to four years, well past the 180-day window established by Congress for processing the applications. The primary culprit of these backlogs is the slow processing of FBI "name checks," an extensive background check conducted for every naturalization applicant.
Through multiple individual and class action lawsuits, the ACLU and its many colleagues have represented many individuals who have spent virtually their entire lives in the U.S. and simply want to pledge their allegiance to this country. In response to the litigation pressure, Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) and the FBI, the two federal agencies involved in administering naturalization, came up with a provisional solution to the problem: the March 2008 Joint Business Plan. The plan laid out various milestones by which the FBI would reduce and eventually eliminate the backlog.
In addition to litigation, in April 2007, the ACLU submitted a request to the FBI under the Freedom of Information Act seeking information about the cause and extent of the delays. The FBI provided documents responsive to the request on May 2009. These records provide insight into several significant aspects of the name check delay. Specifically, the documents reveal that a significant cause of the delay was a re-check of 2.2 million names in 2002, following a significant expansion of the name check protocol. The documents also highlight the steps CIS and FBI are undertaking to address and alleviate the backlog. The documents are available here.
The ACLU is continuing to monitor this pressing issue to ensure that the government is on target with its milestones and to prevent any new delays from developing. Let us know if you've experienced any delays of more than 180 days (PDF).
Jul 31st, 2009 at 10:51pm
Becoming a citizen of the United States is not a right but a privilege. If the government wants to wait before making someone a citizen, it is well within the government's right to do so.
Aug 1st, 2009 at 8:35am
Maybe it is the FBI. Perhaps it also has to do with the illegal immigrants getting taken care of first.
If I were a legal immigrant I would be upset too. But it is refreshing to see that the ACLU has not forgotten the legal immigrant.
Aug 1st, 2009 at 9:41am
You people in the ACLU are going to end up destroying this country.
You're so worried about offending those who are not even from here.
Protecting rights of terrorists, because they can't have their religious freedoms while they are prisoners.
When you people have taken God out of every place you can find, because you deem it unconstitutional.
Now you have used you're scumbag lawyers to take prayer away from the military.
Navy Chaplains aren't allowed to use Jesus anymore?
What the hell, I have served 2 tours to Iraq, and I am about to leave to go to Alfghanistan for a year to fight and protect your rights and freedoms.
While I am away you're going to continue to try and take away the right to practice my religion.
When this country was founded, " One nation under God! "
Not one nation under Allah!!!!!!
Because of people like you, you have tied the hands of the military fighting overseas.
We have to follow the Geneva Convention Law, or we are thrown in prison for life.
Yet we coddle and powder the asses of those who attacked us in New York.
Or have you forgotten about that?
Wouldn't surprise me, or you just shrug it off saying, " That's okay, just don't do it again please. "
I am so disgusted & angry I can't see straight!!!
Again, people like you are going to destroy this country, and when you start to realize what your actions have done, it'll be too late.
We, the military, won't be able to save you, because we won't be allowed to take even our guns to war anymore.
Aug 1st, 2009 at 11:25am
If this offends you, get over it and move on with your day!
Here's my Eamil address too.
mustangcouple04@yahoo.com
I stand firm in what I believe to be right and true.
I am one of the 86% of real Americans who have been screwed by the other 12%.
We're gonna keep fighting back...
Count on it!!!!
Aug 1st, 2009 at 3:08pm
That's just great,the F.B.I.decides who
gets to be a U.S. citizen.
Aug 3rd, 2009 at 4:41pm
I got laid off and replaced by an illegal. I wouldn't mind getting beat fair and square but wasn't qualified and only beat me cause he was willing to take under minimum wage. Sad to know the ACLU would NEVER fight for my rights and I'm an AMERICAN!!!!
Aug 4th, 2009 at 7:32pm
I wonder the reasoning for backing illegals but eachtime I realize it has to do with civil rights. My question is, what civil rights are being ignored when they don't support everify to companies recieving stimilus funds? The only civil rights violation I see is to the Americans that won't get a job cause an illegal will.
I think ACLU has gotten to political for it to be respected and fair.
Do you think they'd back an American who lost his job to an Illegal?
THEN WHY NOT CALL IT THE MCLU?
MINORITY CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION!
Can someone please explain the sense behind the ACLU not backing Everify for stimilus funds?
Aug 5th, 2009 at 1:21pm
Josh, take a deep breath and relax. When you are feeling better, go visit some fact check sites like snopes.com, factcheck.org, politifact.org, or scambusters.org. There are many. You will find that many of your presumptions about the ACLU are incorrect.
BTW, as Allah is Arabic for God, "One Nation Under Allah" is merely a mix of languages.
I hope that you are not harmed on this tour.
Aug 5th, 2009 at 1:24pm
Would, if you lost your job because of a violation of the Constitution, I'm certain the ACLU would help you. You might want to call them in any case. They might be able to refer you someone who can help. If not the ACLU, try your county's bar association for a referral. Paying under the minimum wage (as defined by state and federal laws) is illegal.
Aug 6th, 2009 at 10:36am
Legal / Illegal - it's hard to see whether the ACLU can make the distinction?
Aug 6th, 2009 at 10:39am
I was glad to see some of the comments here. The ACLU has stepped into some territory that has forgotten those it was created for. My opinion based on their current actions, and it seems I am not alone.
Sep 2nd, 2009 at 5:47am
They should have no rights nor benefit in the USA. If they are Illegals. We should treat them fairly and they should be sent home in a bus. The legal immigrants should be treated the same as any other American and have the same rights and benefits as do we.
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