Moving Past “Americanization” toward Earned Citizenship

Abstract

This chapter considers what proponents of inclusive immigration reform in the U.S. can learn from the normative successes and shortcomings of twentieth century Americanization movements as pathways to integration and preparation for citizenship. At their best, past Americanization movements—including LULAC—prepared immigrants for naturalized citizenship while they served in workplaces and families. Today, immigrants are already assuming many of the duties of citizenship, though some are denied a pathway to naturalization. Legalization of unauthorized immigrants, coupled with a noncoercive civic education campaign with the full support of government, employers, and civil society, can help immigrants contribute to their full potential and aspire for U.S. citizenship. Individual citizens have a moral obligation to help immigrants learn more skills—from language to vocational training—toward the mutually beneficial goal of helping them contribute more to their adopted communities in the future.