# Plain Language Summary: New Deal for New Americans Act of 2023

This bill creates a new government office dedicated to helping immigrants become citizens and integrate into American society. The National Office of New Americans would sit within the President's office and be led by a Director who reports directly to the President. The office would coordinate efforts across federal agencies to make it easier for immigrants to learn English, find jobs, access legal help, and become U.S. citizens. It would also work with state and local governments to support these integration efforts and regularly report back to Congress on how well these programs are working.

The bill establishes several grant programs to fund practical support for immigrants. One program provides money for legal services to help people navigate the citizenship process. Another funds English language classes specifically designed to help adults succeed in the job market and participate in their communities. A third program supports workforce development training tailored to immigrants' needs. The bill also creates a United States Citizenship and Integration Foundation to coordinate these efforts and run pilot programs in different states and cities to see what works best.

The bill makes several changes to reduce barriers to becoming a citizen. It would lower or eliminate citizenship application fees for people who can't afford them, allow seniors over 65 to skip the English requirement for naturalization, and make it easier for high school graduates to become citizens. The bill also proposes automatically registering eligible immigrants to vote once they become citizens, though it includes safeguards to protect voting security. Additionally, it would change some deportation rules to give people more chances to stay in the country and become citizens rather than being removed.

For refugees specifically, the bill increases the minimum number admitted to the United States each year and provides better support when they arrive, including English language training before they even enter the country, updated financial assistance, and case management services to help them get settled and find employment.

New Deal for New Americans Act of 2023

Meng, Grace

New Deal for New Americans Act of 2023 This bill provides assistance to immigrants, including refugees, and addresses issues related to naturalization. The bill establishes the National Office of New Americans to (1) welcome and support immigrants, (2) promote and support immigrant integration, and (3) promote the pursuit of U.S. citizenship among immigrants. The bill also establishes grant programs for eligible entities that provide (1) legal services for immigrants, (2) English language education that focuses on integrating students into society, and (3) workforce development training that supports the economic integration of immigrants. The bill also reauthorizes the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS shall establish a nonprofit entity to spur innovation in expanding citizenship preparation programs and to support assistance for immigrants seeking lawful permanent resident status or citizenship. The bill also requires the Department of Homeland Security to (1) report to Congress before increasing fees for immigration adjudication and naturalization services above the levels of such fees on January 1, 2019, and (2) waive or reduce certain immigration-related fees for low-income individuals. The bill also (1) waives the English proficiency requirement for the naturalization of certain lawful permanent residents, (2) repeals the public charge ground for deportation, (3) requires states to provide for automatic voter registration to qualifying new citizens unless that individual declines, and (4) sets a floor of 125,000 to the maximum number of refugees who may be admitted into the United States each year.