I've managed the Washington New Americans citizenship program at OneAmerica for 6 years now. If you know me, you know how much this work means to me. I'm really proud of the fact that my program helps more than 1,300 people apply for US citizenship every year. In fact, 1 in 10 of all new citizens in Washington State naturalized through our program! 

I'm the daughter of an immigrant, and I know firsthand how much my dad has contributed so much to this country as an entrepreneur and an advocate in his local community. The U.S. would be much better off with more people like him, but instead, we still ban all Syrians from even visiting the United States.

Becoming a naturalized citizen is the last stop on a long, arduous and often expensive immigration journey. Becoming a US citizen means freedom -- freedom to travel without restrictions, freedom to get a better-paying job, and freedom from the anxiety you could be removed from this country and separated from your family. One of the most important freedoms of all is the right to vote. We work diligently to make sure everyone we help apply for citizenship also becomes a voter.

There are already 3 million MORE new citizen voters in this country since Donald Trump was elected president in 2016. It's never been more important to become a US citizen -- but it's also never been more difficult. 

These numbers tell the story:

• 1983, when my dad naturalized: 3-page application, $35 application fee, and it took 2-3 months to get a decision.
• 2014, when I first started working at OneAmerica: 13-page application, $680 application fee, 6-8 months adjudication time
• 2020: 20-page application, $725 fee, 12-18 months to get a decision. The Trump administration announced plans to increase the application fee to $1,170 this year. 

It's critical that we can keep providing vital assistance to those who want to become citizens. COVID-19 has slowed us down a little bit, but it hasn't stopped us. We're working diligently to move all our legal assistance online, but we need your help.

Will you join me in supporting OneAmerica?