H.R. 2681 – Reading Mode

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2681

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 3, 2009

Mr. Baca introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for naturalization for certain high school graduates.

Short title

This Act may be cited as—

(1)

the People Resolved to Obtain an Understanding of Democracy Act; or

(2)

the P.R.O.U.D. Act.

Naturalization for certain U.S. high school graduates

(a)

In general

Title III of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 320 the following:

321.

Citizenship for certain U.S. high school graduates

(a)

Requirements deemed satisfied

In the case of an alien described in subsection (b), the alien shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of—

(1)

section 312(a); and

(2)

section 316(a), if the alien sustains the burden of establishing that the alien has been a person of good moral character during the 6-year period preceding the date on which the alien submits the application described in subsection (c).

(b)

Provisions waived

In the case of an alien described in subsection (b), the alien shall be eligible for naturalization under this title without regard to the following provisions:

(1)

Section 318.

(2)

The second sentence of section 334(b).

(c)

Aliens described

An alien is described in this subsection if the alien is under 25 years of age on the date on which the alien submits an application for naturalization under section 334 that contains the following:

(1)

Transcripts from public or private schools in the United States that demonstrate the following:

(A)

The alien completed grades 6 through 12 in the United States and was graduated with a high school diploma.

(B)

The alien completed a curriculum that reflects knowledge of United States history, Government, and civics.

(2)

A copy of the alien’s high school diploma.

(d)

Reduced fee

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall reduce the naturalization application fee for an alien described in subsection (b) by 50 percent.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents for the Immigration and Nationality Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 320 the following:

Sec. 321. Citizenship for certain U.S. high school graduates.

(c)

Applicability

The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to applicants for naturalization who apply for naturalization on or after such date.

(d)

Regulations

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall promulgate regulations to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this Act not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.