Suit filed over US citizenship delays

Wednesday 02 August 2006, 12:08 Makka Time, 9:08 GMT

Immigrants complain of unexplained processing delays
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Ten immigrants from the Middle East and Asia have sued the US government for allegedly letting their citizenship

applications linger indefinitely by delaying background checks.

The suit, filed on Tuesday in US District Court in Los Angeles, asks that a federal judge review the files and administer the

oath of citizenship.

It also seeks class-action status to include all immigrants who have been waiting at least six months for naturalisation after

filing applications at the US Citizenship and Immigration Service in Los Angeles.

Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Muslims and immigrants from the Middle East and Asia have often

complained of unexplained delays in the processing of immigration applications.

The Southern California suit follows a handful of others across the country in recent years.

Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Southern California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR),

said that "whether the delays are based on discrimination or incompetence, they have to end."

CAIR has joined the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California to file the suit.

"Muslims will not accept any longer being treated as second-class citizens by this administration."

Reaction

Sharon Rummery, spokeswoman for the Citizenship and Immigration Service, said only about one percent of citizenship

applicants wait longer than six months.

"Muslims will not accept any longer being treated as second-class citizens by this administration."

Hussam Ayloush,
Executive director, Southern California chapter of CAIR
"I have no idea why some take longer," said Rummery, who added her agency can't process an application until the FBI

returns the background check.

Special Agent Richard Kolko said the FBI had not seen the suit and could not comment.

Generally, legal permanent residents, or "green card" holders, can apply for citizenship if they have lived in the country a

certain number of years, speak English fluently and pass a citizenship exam.

Federal law requires the government to approve or deny a citizenship application 120 days after an immigrant passes the

exam.

It is taking a lot longer than that for Yousuf Bhaghani, 35, a Corona resident who immigrated from Pakistan 17 years ago.
Bhaghani said he passed the citizenship exam in 2002, and has been waiting for an answer ever since.

"In my heart, I'm already an American in every way," said Bhaghani.

"Now I want to be able to fully participate as a citizen."
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