Naturalization: The official integration

Presentation made at Latinos in the Heartland (10th : 2012 : Kansas City, Mo.) and published in the annual conference proceedings.While the nation has focused on the border and questions about the undocumented, the local population of both immigrants and the receiving community experience the issue of newcomers by their integration, participation levels in various civic organizations and impact on the political process. Often neglected is the importance of naturalization and the pathways toward it. This presentation explores the concept of citizenship, its benefits and the barriers immigrants face when attempting to naturalize. Who facilitates the naturalization process and how? What is the role of the federal government and what is the role of local providers? Emerging efforts across the country will be included as encouraging signs of growing attention to the agenda of increasing levels of naturalization