I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1308 
To establish the National Office of New Americans, to reduce obstacles 
to United States citizenship, to support the integration of immigrants 
into the social, cultural, economic, and civic life of the United States, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 24, 2021 
Ms. MENG (for herself, Ms. JAYAPAL, Mr. GARCI´A of Illinois, Ms. SCHA-
KOWSKY, Ms. SCANLON, Ms. TITUS, Ms. CLARKE of New York, Mr. 
ESPAILLAT, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Ms. OMAR, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. 
TAKANO, Ms. NORTON, Mr. NEGUSE, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. 
MCGOVERN, Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ, Ms. DEGETTE, Mrs. TORRES of Cali-
fornia, Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. GRIJALVA, 
Ms. LEE of California, Mr. CARSON, Ms. BUSH, Mr. POCAN, Mrs. CARO-
LYN B. MALONEY of New York, and Ms. SEWELL) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and 
in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, House Adminis-
tration, Foreign Affairs, and Homeland Security, for a period to be sub-
sequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of 
such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish the National Office of New Americans, to reduce 
obstacles to United States citizenship, to support the 
integration of immigrants into the social, cultural, eco-
nomic, and civic life of the United States, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘New Deal for New Americans Act of 2021’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
TITLE I—NEW AMERICANS AND INTEGRATION 
Sec. 101. Definitions. 
Sec. 102. National Office of New Americans. 
Sec. 103. Federal Initiative on New Americans. 
TITLE II—PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE CITIZENSHIP, INTEGRATION, 
AND PROSPERITY 
Sec. 201. Definitions. 
Sec. 202. Sense of Congress on access to legal counsel. 
Sec. 203. Legal Services and Immigration Assistance grant program. 
Sec. 204. English as a Gateway to Integration grant program. 
Sec. 205. Workforce Development and Shared Prosperity grant program. 
Sec. 206. Department of Homeland Security grants. 
Sec. 207. United States Citizenship and Integration Foundation. 
Sec. 208. Pilot program to promote immigrant integration at State and local 
levels. 
Sec. 209. Authorization of appropriations for Foundation and pilot program. 
TITLE III—REDUCING BARRIERS TO CITIZENSHIP 
Sec. 301. Sense of Congress. 
Sec. 302. Immigration service fees. 
Sec. 303. Waiver of English requirement for senior new Americans. 
Sec. 304. Reduce financial obstacles to naturalization. 
Sec. 305. Naturalization for certain United States high school graduates. 
Sec. 306. Family integration. 
Sec. 307. Revision of grounds for deportation. 
Sec. 308. Waiver to ensure access to citizenship. 
Sec. 309. Naturalization ceremonies. 
Sec. 310. Proud to Be a United States Citizen Program. 
Sec. 311. Mission of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 
Sec. 312. Automatic registration of eligible individuals. 
Sec. 313. Department of Homeland Security assistance in registration. 
Sec. 314. Voter protection and security in automatic registration. 
Sec. 315. Effective date. 
TITLE IV—REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION 
Sec. 401. Definition of Secretary. 
Sec. 402. Minimum number of refugees to be admitted. 
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Sec. 403. Pre-arrival English language and work orientation training for ap-
proved refugee applicants. 
Sec. 404. Update of reception and placement grants. 
Sec. 405. Case management grant program. 
Sec. 406. Increase in cash payments. 
TITLE V—PROTECTIONS FOR IMMIGRANTS 
Sec. 501. Personally identifiable information. 
Sec. 502. Voluntary participation in integration and inclusion activities. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) 
IMMIGRANT.—The 
term 
‘‘immigrant’’ 
means an individual who— 
(A) is not a citizen or national of the 
United States; 
(B) is present in the United States; and 
(C)(i) is in any status under the immigra-
tion laws; or 
(ii)(I) is not in any status under the immi-
gration laws; and 
(II) intends to resident permanently in the 
United States. 
(2) IMMIGRATION LAWS.—The term ‘‘immigra-
tion laws’’ has the meaning given the term in section 
101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
U.S.C. 1101(a)). 
(3) REFUGEE.—The term ‘‘refugee’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Im-
migration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)). 
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TITLE I—NEW AMERICANS AND 
INTEGRATION 
SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means 
the Director of the National Office of New Ameri-
cans. 
(2) FEDERAL
AGENCY.—The term ‘‘Federal 
agency’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘agency’’ 
in section 551 of title 5, United States Code. 
(3) OFFICE.—The term ‘‘Office’’ means the 
National Office of New Americans established by 
section 102(a). 
SEC. 102. NATIONAL OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL OFFICE OF 
NEW AMERICANS.—There is established within the Execu-
tive Office of the President an office to be known as the 
‘‘National Office of New Americans’’. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the Office are the 
following: 
(1) To welcome and support immigrants and 
refugees in the United States. 
(2) To promote and support immigrant and ref-
ugee integration into, and inclusion in, the social, 
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cultural, economic, and civic life of the United 
States. 
(3) To ensure that the Federal Government and 
Federal agencies promote the pursuit of United 
States citizenship among immigrants and refugees. 
(4) To ensure access to quality English lan-
guage learning programs that support the successful 
integration of immigrant adults, including by en-
hancing— 
(A) employment and career prospects and 
economic integration; and 
(B) social integration in local communities 
and participation in civic life, including engage-
ment with State and local governments, schools, 
and private and nonprofit community institu-
tions. 
(5) To improve access to workforce development 
programs, including by ensuring that such programs 
meet the demand and the unique language, training, 
and educational needs of immigrants and refugees. 
(6) To coordinate the efforts of Federal, State, 
and local entities to support the effective social, eco-
nomic, linguistic, and civic integration of immi-
grants, refugees, and the children of immigrants and 
refugees. 
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(7) To provide advice and leadership to the 
President, Members of Congress, and other Federal 
Government officials on the challenges and opportu-
nities facing such entities with respect to immigrant 
and refugee integration. 
(8) To evaluate the scale, quality, and effective-
ness of Federal Government efforts with respect to 
immigrant and refugee social and economic integra-
tion, including access to United States citizenship, 
English language learning, education, and workforce 
development programs. 
(9) To identify the anticipated effects of new 
Federal policies on existing integration efforts and 
advise the President on how to address potential in-
tegration needs and the effects of such policies. 
(10) With respect to immigrant and refugee in-
tegration efforts, to consult on a biannual basis with 
State and local government officials on challenges 
and opportunities presented by such efforts. 
(11) With respect to the activities described in 
paragraphs (8) through (10), to ensure the inclusion 
of the perspectives of immigrants and refugees. 
(12) With respect to the administration of the 
grant programs under title II, to consult with the 
applicable heads of Federal agencies. 
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(13) To submit to the President and the appro-
priate committees of Congress a biannual report 
that describes the activities of the Office and the re-
sults of the consultation processes described in para-
graphs (10) through (12). 
(c) DIRECTOR.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Office shall be headed 
by a Director, who shall be appointed by the Presi-
dent, by and with the advice and consent of the Sen-
ate. 
(2) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Director shall— 
(A) establish policies, objectives, and prior-
ities for the Office with respect to immigrant 
and refugee integration; 
(B) with the assistance of the Deputy Di-
rector for Citizenship and Inclusion, the Deputy 
Director for Workforce and the Economy, the 
Deputy Director for Children’s Integration Suc-
cess, and the Associate Director of State and 
Local Affairs, carry out the purposes of the Of-
fice, as described in subsection (b); 
(C) serve as the Chair of the Federal Ini-
tiative for New Americans established under 
section 103; 
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(D) make recommendations to the Presi-
dent on changes in the organization, manage-
ment, programs, and budget of the Federal 
agencies to promote the integration of immi-
grants and refugees; 
(E) with respect to efforts to promote 
United States citizenship and the integration of 
immigrants and refugees, consult, support, and 
coordinate with State and local governments; 
and 
(F) serve as a member of the Domestic 
Policy Council and the National Economic 
Council. 
(3) POWERS OF THE DIRECTOR.—In carrying 
out the responsibilities under paragraph (2) and the 
purposes under subsection (b), the Director may— 
(A) select, appoint, employ, and fix com-
pensation of such officers and employees as 
may be necessary to carry out such responsibil-
ities and purposes; 
(B) with the concurrence of the head of 
the applicable Federal agency, direct the tem-
porary reassignment within the Federal Govern-
ment of personnel employed by such Federal 
agency; 
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(C) use for administrative purposes, on a 
reimbursable basis, the available services, equip-
ment, personnel, and facilities of Federal, State, 
and local agencies; 
(D) procure the services of experts and 
consultants, in accordance with section 3109 of 
title 5, United States Code (relating to appoint-
ments in the Federal service) at rates of com-
pensation for individuals not to exceed the daily 
equivalent of the rate of pay payable for level 
GS–18 of the General Schedule under section 
5332 of title 5, United States Code; 
(E) accept and use donations of property 
from Federal, State, and local government 
agencies; 
(F) use the mail in the same manner as 
other Federal agencies; and 
(G) monitor the implementation of immi-
grant and refugee integration-related activities 
of the Federal Government, including by— 
(i) conducting program and perform-
ance audits and evaluations of each Fed-
eral agency; and 
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(ii) requesting assistance from the In-
spector General of the applicable Federal 
agency in such audits and evaluations. 
(d) DEPUTY DIRECTORS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be in the Office 
a Deputy Director for Citizenship and Inclusion, a 
Deputy Director for Workforce and the Economy, 
and a Deputy Director for Children’s Integration 
and Success, each of whom shall be appointed by the 
President, in consultation with the Director. 
(2) RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
(A) DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR CITIZENSHIP 
AND
INCLUSION.—The Deputy Director for 
Citizenship and Inclusion shall, among other 
duties as assigned by the Director, assist the 
Director in promoting— 
(i) inclusion of immigrants and refu-
gees in the social, economic, and civic life 
of their communities and the United 
States; and 
(ii) access to United States citizen-
ship. 
(B) DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR WORKFORCE 
AND THE ECONOMY.—The Deputy Director for 
Workforce and the Economy shall, among other 
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duties as assigned by the Director, assist the 
Director in— 
(i) promoting participation of immi-
grants and refugees in the United States 
workforce; and 
(ii) increasing the contributions of im-
migrants and refugees to the United States 
economy. 
(C) DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR CHILDREN’S 
INTEGRATION SUCCESS.—The Deputy Director 
for Children’s Integration Success shall, among 
other duties as assigned by the Director, assist 
the Director in ensuring that Federal policies 
and programs intended to support the healthy 
development and educational success of children 
are effective in reaching and serving the chil-
dren of immigrant families. 
(e) BUREAU OF STATE AND LOCAL AFFAIRS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established within 
the Office a Bureau of State and Local Affairs. 
(2) ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Bureau of State 
and Local Affairs shall be headed by an Asso-
ciate Director of State and Local Affairs, who 
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shall be appointed by the President, in con-
sultation with the Director. 
(B) DUTIES.—The Associate Director of 
State and Local Affairs shall, among other du-
ties as assigned by the Director, assist the Di-
rector in coordinating the efforts of State and 
local entities to support the economic, linguistic, 
and civic integration of immigrants, refugees, 
and the children of immigrants and refugees. 
(f) LIMITATION.—An individual may not serve as Di-
rector, Deputy Director for Citizenship and Inclusion, 
Deputy Director for Workforce and the Economy, Deputy 
Director for Children’s Integration Success, or Associate 
Director of State and Local Affairs while serving in any 
other position in the Federal Government. 
(g) ACCESS BY CONGRESS.—The establishment of 
the Office within the Executive Office of the President 
shall not affect access to the Office by a Member of Con-
gress or any member of a committee of the Senate or the 
House of Representatives, including access to— 
(1) any information, document, or study in the 
possession of, or conducted by or at the direction of, 
the Director; or 
(2) personnel of the Office. 
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SEC. 103. FEDERAL INITIATIVE ON NEW AMERICANS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the confirmation of the Director of the Office, the Director 
shall establish within the Office a Federal Initiative on 
New Americans (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Initia-
tive’’). 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purposes of the Initiative are— 
(1) to welcome and support immigrants and 
refugees in the United States; 
(2) to establish a coordinated Federal program 
to respond effectively to immigrant and refugee inte-
gration issues; and 
(3) to advise and assist the Director in identi-
fying and implementing the necessary policies to 
carry out such program. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.—The Initiative shall be composed 
of— 
(1) the Director, who shall serve as Chair; 
(2) the Secretary of the Treasury; 
(3) the Attorney General; 
(4) the Secretary of Commerce; 
(5) the Secretary of Labor; 
(6) the Secretary of Health and Human Serv-
ices; 
(7) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Devel-
opment; 
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(8) the Secretary of Education; 
(9) the Secretary of Homeland Security; 
(10) the Secretary of State; 
(11) the Director of the Office of Refugee Re-
settlement; 
(12) the Director of the Small Business Admin-
istration; 
(13) the Director of the Office of Management 
and Budget; 
(14) the Director of the Bureau of Consumer 
Financial Protection; and 
(15) any other individual— 
(A) invited by the Director to participate; 
and 
(B) who occupies a position listed under 
level I or II of the Executive Schedule, as pro-
vided in sections 5312 and 5313 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(d) DUTIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Initiative shall meet at 
the call of the Chair and perform such duties as the 
Chair reasonably requires. 
(2) COORDINATED
RESPONSE
TO
IMMIGRANT 
AND
REFUGEE
ISSUES.—The Initiative shall join 
with Federal agencies in providing a coordinated 
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Federal response to adequately address matters that 
affect the lives of immigrant and refugee families 
and local communities with growing immigrant and 
refugee populations, including access to— 
(A) English language learning; 
(B) adult education and workforce train-
ing; 
(C) occupational licensure; 
(D) early childhood care and education; 
(E) elementary, secondary, and postsec-
ondary education; 
(F) health care; 
(G) naturalization; 
(H) civic engagement; 
(I) immigration assistance and legal serv-
ices; 
(J) economic development; 
(K) language access services; and 
(L) other services the Director identifies as 
aiding the integration of immigrants and refu-
gees into the social, cultural, economic, and 
civic life of the United States. 
(3) LIAISON WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Each member of the 
Initiative shall serve as a liaison to the Federal 
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agency of the member to ensure that the Fed-
eral agency coordinates with and responds to 
the recommendations of the Initiative in a time-
ly and meaningful manner. 
(B) DUTIES OF A LIAISON.—The duties of 
each member as a Federal agency liaison in-
clude— 
(i) developing, for the applicable Fed-
eral agency, immigrant and refugee inte-
gration goals and indicators; 
(ii) implementing the biannual con-
sultation process described in section 
102(b)(10) by consulting with the State 
and local counterparts of the Federal agen-
cy; 
(iii) reporting to the Initiative on the 
progress made by the Federal agency in 
achieving the goals and indicators de-
scribed in clause (i); and 
(iv) upon request by the Director and 
subject to laws governing disclosure of in-
formation, providing such information as 
may be required to carry out the respon-
sibilities of the Director and the functions 
of the Office. 
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(4) RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INITIATIVE.— 
Not later than 1 year after the date on which the 
Initiative becomes fully operational, and every 2 
years thereafter, the Director shall submit to Con-
gress a report that includes the following: 
(A) Findings from the consultation process 
described in section 102(b)(10), including a de-
scription of the immigrant and refugee integra-
tion opportunities offered by, and integration 
challenges facing, State and local governments. 
(B) An assessment of the effects of, and 
recommendations with respect to, pending legis-
lation and executive branch policy proposals. 
(C) A description of the possible effects of 
pending legislation and executive branch policy 
proposals on immigrant and refugee integra-
tion. 
(D) An identification of any Federal pro-
gram or policy that has a negative impact on 
immigrants, refugees, and local communities 
with growing immigrant and refugee popu-
lations, as compared to the general population, 
and recommendations for changes to any such 
program or policy. 
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(E) Recommendations on legislative solu-
tions to better support the successful integra-
tion of immigrants and refugees and the chil-
dren of immigrants and refugees. 
TITLE II—PROGRAMS TO PRO-
MOTE 
CITIZENSHIP, 
INTE-
GRATION, AND PROSPERITY 
SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) FOUNDATION.—The term ‘‘Foundation’’ 
means the United States Citizenship and Integration 
Foundation established under section 207. 
(2) SERVICE AREA.—The term ‘‘service area’’ 
means the jurisdiction or geographical area in which 
an entity carries out activities using funds awarded 
under this title. 
(3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each of 
the several States, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States 
Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 
SEC. 202. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ACCESS TO LEGAL 
COUNSEL. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
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(1) immigration law is so complex that it is 
nearly impossible, and therefore unjust, for immi-
grants to navigate the immigration system without 
legal assistance or represent themselves in immigra-
tion court; 
(2) immigrants without legal counsel are far 
more likely, as compared to immigrants with legal 
counsel, to be denied immigration benefits or be de-
ported, which may result in dire consequences, in-
cluding— 
(A) the denial of lawful immigration status 
or United States citizenship; 
(B) loss of livelihood; 
(C) the separation of an immigrant from, 
or the inability of an immigrant to support, his 
or her family; 
(D) life-threatening danger in the country 
of origin of an immigrant; and 
(E) a long-term or permanent ban on reen-
tering the United States; and 
(3) consistent with the United States values of 
fairness and justice and the Fifth Amendment to the 
Constitution of the United States, which guarantees 
all individuals the due process of law, any individual 
subject to immigration proceedings or the appeal of 
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a proceeding before an immigration judge or the At-
torney General should have the right to be rep-
resented by counsel, including Government-funded 
counsel, regardless of the ability of the individual to 
pay. 
SEC. 203. LEGAL SERVICES AND IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE 
GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Attorney General, acting 
through the Director of the Executive Office for Immigra-
tion Review, in consultation with the Director of the Na-
tional Office of New Americans, shall award legal services 
and immigration assistance grants to eligible entities. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.—An entity eligible to re-
ceive a grant under this section is a State or unit of local 
government, a Tribal government, a private organization, 
a community-based organization, or a nonprofit organiza-
tion that— 
(1) provides authorized direct legal assistance 
to immigrants; 
(2) in the case of an entity that has previously 
been awarded a grant under this section, uses 
matching funds from non-Federal sources, which 
may include in-kind contributions, equal to 25 per-
cent of the amount received under this section; 
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(3) provides immigration education, outreach, 
and quality paralegal services to immigrants, in co-
ordination with immigration attorneys or representa-
tives accredited by the Recognition and Accredita-
tion Program of the Executive Office for Immigra-
tion Review; and 
(4) submits to the Director of the Executive Of-
fice for Immigration Review an application at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such informa-
tion as the Director may reasonably require. 
(c) USE OF FUNDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Funds awarded under this 
section shall be used to provide to eligible immi-
grants legal assistance relating to the immigration 
status of such immigrants, or related services, which 
may include— 
(A) outreach and education to identify and 
support immigrants in need of legal services; 
(B) liaison services to connect immigrants 
with trusted legal service providers, social serv-
ice organizations, and government representa-
tives; 
(C) screening to assess the eligibility of an 
immigrant for any status under the immigra-
tion laws; 
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(D) completing applications for immigra-
tion benefits; 
(E) translation and interpretation services; 
(F) gathering documents, including docu-
ments relating to proof of identification, em-
ployment, residence, family relationships, and 
tax payment; 
(G) completing applications for any waiver 
under the immigration laws for which an eligi-
ble immigrant and qualifying family members 
may be eligible; and 
(H) with respect to applications relating to 
United States citizenship, assistance with appli-
cation preparation and the naturalization proc-
ess, including preparation for the English and 
civics exams. 
(2) ELIGIBLE
IMMIGRANTS.—An immigrant 
shall be eligible to receive the assistance described in 
paragraph (1) if the immigrant is seeking— 
(A) to become a lawful permanent resident 
or naturalized citizen of the United States; 
(B) to establish that he or she has derived 
or acquired United States citizenship; or 
(C) relief from removal and authorization 
to remain lawfully in the United States. 
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(d) CONDITIONS.—As a condition of receiving a grant 
under this section, a participating entity shall— 
(1) submit to the Attorney General a certifi-
cation that the proposed uses of grant funds by the 
entity— 
(A) are consistent with this section; and 
(B) meet the criteria determined by the 
Attorney General, in consultation with the Di-
rector of the National Office of New Americans; 
and 
(2) make a reasonable effort to estimate the 
number of immigrants who live in the service area. 
(e) ANNUAL REPORT AND EVALUATION.—Not later 
than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year for which 
an entity receives grant funds under this section, the enti-
ty shall submit to the Director of the Executive Office for 
Immigration Review the following: 
(1) A report that describes— 
(A) each activity carried out by the entity 
funded entirely or partially by the grant funds; 
(B) the service area; 
(C) the estimate made under subsection 
(d)(2); 
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(D) the number of immigrants who re-
ceived legal assistance funded entirely or par-
tially by the grant funds; 
(E) a disaggregation of the costs of each 
service provided using the grant funds and the 
average per capita cost of providing the service; 
and 
(F) the primary languages spoken in the 
service area. 
(2) An evaluation of any program of the entity 
for which grant funds were used, including— 
(A) an assessment of the effectiveness of 
the program; 
(B) recommendations for improving the 
program; 
(C) an assessment of whether the legal 
services needs of the service area have been 
met; and 
(D) in the case of an assessment under 
subparagraph (C) that such needs have not 
been met, a description of the additional assist-
ance required to meet such needs. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$100,000,000 for fiscal years 2022 through 2023. 
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(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) SERVICE AREA.—The term ‘‘service area’’ 
means the jurisdiction or geographical area in which 
an entity carries out activities using funds awarded 
under this section. 
(2) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each of 
the several States, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States 
Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 
SEC. 204. ENGLISH AS A GATEWAY TO INTEGRATION GRANT 
PROGRAM. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The Assistant Secretary for 
Career, Technical, and Adult Education at the Depart-
ment of Education and the Assistant Secretary for the Ad-
ministration for Children and Families at the Department 
of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section 
as the ‘‘Assistant Secretaries’’), in consultation with the 
Director of the National Office of New Americans, shall 
award English as a Gateway to Integration grants to eligi-
ble entities. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY.—An entity eligible to receive a 
grant under this section is a State or unit of local govern-
ment, a Tribal government, a private organization, an edu-
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cational institution, a community-based organization, or a 
nonprofit organization that— 
(1) in the case of any applicant that has pre-
viously received a grant under this section, uses 
matching funds from non-Federal sources, which 
may include in-kind contributions, equal to 25 per-
cent of the amount received from the English as a 
Gateway to Integration program to carry out such 
program; 
(2) submits to the Assistant Secretaries an ap-
plication at such time, in such manner, and con-
taining such information as the Assistant Secretaries 
may reasonably require, including— 
(A) a description of the target population 
to be served, including demographics, literacy 
levels, integration needs, and English language 
levels of the target population; and 
(B) the assessment and performance meas-
ures that the grant recipient plans to use to 
evaluate the integration and English language 
learning progress of students and overall suc-
cess of the instruction and program; 
(3) demonstrates collaboration with public and 
private entities to provide the instruction and assist-
ance described in subsection (c)(1); 
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(4) provides integration-focused English lan-
guage programs that— 
(A) teach integration and English language 
skills to— 
(i) lower-educated individuals; 
(ii) limited English proficient (LEP) 
individuals; and 
(iii) parents and others who are care-
takers of young children; 
(B) support and promote the social, eco-
nomic, and civic integration of adult English 
language learners and their families; and 
(C) equip adult English language learners 
for ongoing independent study and learning be-
yond classroom or formal instruction; and 
(5)(A) is located in 1 of the 10 States with the 
highest rate of foreign-born residents; or 
(B) is located in an area that has experienced 
a large increase in the population of immigrants 
during the most recent 10-year period relative to 
past migration patterns, based on data compiled by 
the Office of Immigration Statistics or the United 
States Census Bureau. 
(c) USE OF FUNDS.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—Funds awarded under this 
section shall be used to provide English language 
and integration knowledge and skill instruction 
along with student guidance and navigation services 
to learners. Such instruction shall advance the inte-
gration of students in order to help them— 
(A) build their knowledge of United States 
history and civics; 
(B) prepare for United States citizenship 
and the naturalization process; 
(C) gain digital literacy; 
(D) understand and support children’s suc-
cess within the early childhood, K–12, and post-
secondary education systems; 
(E) gain financial literacy; 
(F) build an understanding of the housing 
market and systems in the United States; 
(G) learn about and access the United 
States, State, and local health care systems; 
(H) prepare for a high school equivalency 
diploma or postsecondary training or education; 
and 
(I) prepare for and secure employment. 
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(2) DESIGN
OF
PROGRAM.—Funds awarded 
under this section shall be used to support program 
designs that may include the following elements: 
(A) English language and integration 
knowledge and skill instruction in a classroom 
setting, along with associated guidance and 
navigation supports provided that such setting 
is in a geographic location accessible to the pop-
ulation served. 
(B) English language and integration 
knowledge and skill instruction programs that 
may incorporate online and digital components, 
such as the use of mobile phones, computers, 
and blended or distance learning platforms. 
(C) Educational support and specialized 
instruction for adult English language learners 
with low levels of literacy in their first lan-
guage. 
(D) Two-generation approaches designed 
to support children’s school success and lift 
family integration trajectories. 
(d) CERTIFICATION.—In order to receive a payment 
under this section, a participating entity shall submit to 
the Assistant Secretaries a certification that the proposed 
uses of grant funds by the entity are consistent with this 
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‘‘(1) is unable to comply with such require-
ments because of physical or mental disability, in-
cluding developmental or intellectual disability; or 
‘‘(2) on the date on which the person’s applica-
tion for naturalization is filed under section 334— 
‘‘(A) is older than 65 years of age; and 
‘‘(B) has been living in the United States 
for periods totaling at least 5 years after being 
lawfully admitted for permanent residence. 
‘‘(c) The requirement under subsection (a)(1) shall 
not apply to any person who, on the date on which the 
person’s application for naturalization is filed under sec-
tion 334— 
‘‘(1) is older than 50 years of age and has been 
living in the United States for periods totaling at 
least 20 years after being lawfully admitted for per-
manent residence; 
‘‘(2) is older than 55 years of age and has been 
living in the United States for periods totaling at 
least 15 years after being lawfully admitted for per-
manent residence; or 
‘‘(3) is older than 60 years of age and has been 
living in the United States for periods totaling at 
least 10 years after being lawfully admitted for per-
manent residence. 
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