CAIR-LA Applauds Decision to Grant Muslims Citizenship
Anaheim: The Southern California office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) October 6 applauded a government decision to naturalize seven Muslims who have fulfilled all the requirements for citizenship, including passing a naturalization exam and interview, but have been waiting up to seven times the legal limit.
The Muslims were plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit (Aziz v. Gonzales) filed by CAIR-LA, the ACLU of Southern California and the ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
"The plaintiffs are hard working, patriotic Americans. There is absolutely no reason they should have to wait unusually long periods of time, in some cases seven times the legal limit, to obtain their citizenship. We hope to find a speedy resolution to this legal problem, not only for our plaintiffs but for many others who want to become legal, contributing members of our society."
US immigration law gives officials 120 days to grant or deny citizenship to residents who have passed their naturalization exams and interviews. Dozens of Southern Californians and hundreds more seeking citizenship nationwide report that they are not given a decision within that time limit.
CAIR-LA and ACLU/SC will still seek a fix for a policy that leaves final-stage citizenship applicants in legal limbo.
CAIR has 32 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada . Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
Pertinent Links:
1) CAIR-LA Applauds Decision to Grant Muslims Citizenship
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