Community Access Center, Inc. (CAC), is a Broward County-based nonprofit corporation whose mission is to assist individuals and families with access to culturally competent, cost effective social and clinical services, to ensure their needs are met and to improve their quality of life. CAC also supports citizenship initiatives in Broward County. The State of Florida is home to over 1.7 million lawful permanent residents, of whom approximately 835,097 are eligible to become citizens through naturalization.
A recent study conducted by the Pew Hispanic Center found that roughly one-third of immigrants who are eligible to naturalize fail to do so for reasons that include, but are not limited to, the cost and complexity of the citizenship process. Naturalized citizens have higher income, generate more taxes, connect with their neighbors more easily, and assume their full rights and responsibilities in this Country, to proudly say “America is Home”.
Broward County has a considerable immigrant population and an extensive existing network of profit, nonprofit, and governmental organizations that can work towards reducing the barriers that deter lawful permanent residents from becoming citizens. Moreover, the Board of County Commissioners, currently supports naturalization programs with the Florida Immigrant Coalition and the CAC, which have processed citizenship applications for approximately 3,000 individuals, 90% of whom were eligible for fee waivers. With CAC’s assistance, the number of individuals that will be assisted will grow substantially. This additional support will allow CAC to continue these initiatives.
County Commission District 9 has excess office account funds that may be properly expended for this purpose, with the approval of the County Commission.
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