The Immigration and Naturalization Service has cut off assistance to Washington community colleges and outreach groups that rely on INS officers to test, interview and swear in those hoping to become citizens. INS notified community colleges and outreach programs in June that the agency's employees no longer will offer its services to citizenship classes started after June 24. Instead, people will have to drive to INS offices in Yakima or Spokane. The agency said it made the changes to increase efficiency, but the groups affected believe the opposite will happen. The changes will only deter people from seeking naturalization, said Russell Shjerven of the Community Organized for Yakima County outreach program.
People still can take classes to prepare for citizenship tests.
There is a backlash against immigrants. This is a direct attack on them. He said Washington is the only state he knows of that is affected. The changes would affect thousands of people. In 1996, INS naturalized 4,500 people in Eastern Washington.