Naturalization Reform Act of 1997

Summary

Naturalization Reform Act of 1997 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make criminal deportation a bar to U.S. naturalization. (Sec. 3) Establishes a ten-year period of good moral character for naturalization purposes. (Sec. 4) Requires a fingerprint and criminal background check of certain aliens and alien sponsors. (Sec. 5) Requires an Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) personal interview as part of the permanent resident adjustment of status and naturalization procedures. (Sec. 7) Authorizes citizenship testing by private entities. Sets forth related provisions, including a report by the Comptroller General of the United States of such testing's integrity. (Sec. 8) Establishes a civil penalty for failure to report the loss, theft, or destruction of a resident alien card. Requires the surrender, or an affidavit of loss, theft, or destruction, of a resident alien card upon naturalization. (Sec. 9) Revises revocation of naturalization provisions with respect to materiality and presumption of willfulness. (Sec. 10) Directs the Attorney General to provide for ongoing review of INS naturalization compliance.

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Timeline

1. 6 November 1997

   Introduced

   Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 6 November 1997

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 6 November 1997

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 13 November 1997

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims.

   Source: Committee

5. 5 March 1998

   Committee

   Subcommittee Hearings Held.

   Source: Committee

6. 11 June 1998

   Vote

   Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 5 - 2.

   Source: Committee

7. 11 June 1998

   Committee

   Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in House · 6 November 1997 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 6 November 1997

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 6 November 1997

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 6 November 1997

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• LAMAR SMITH · R · Sponsor
• ROBERT GOODLATTE · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Bryant, Ed [R-TN-7] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Bilbray, Brian P. [R-CA-50] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Deal, Nathan [R-GA-9] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Barr, Bob [R-GA-7] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Gallegly, Elton [R-CA-21] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Bartlett, Roscoe G. [R-MD-6] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Bereuter, Doug [R-NE-1] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Dreier, David [R-CA-33] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Souder, Mark E. [R-IN-3] · R · Cosponsor
• · hsju00 · Standing

Related records

• related to ← Naturalization Reform Act of 1997