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INS ANNOUNCES PROGRAM TO SPEED UP NATURALIZATION PROCESS
The INS has announced a program called Citizenship USA which has as its goal then ensuring that by the summer of 1996 naturalization applications will be processed in less than six months. An increase in the number of naturalization applications has led to backlogs at some local INS offices of as long as two years. The Los Angeles INS office will be the first place to implement the initiative. The Miami, New York, Chicago and San Francisco offices will be next. The program is supported by funding approved by the Congress last summer. 
According to Doris Meissner, Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, "People, process and partnerships form the basis of the initiative. To meet the goals of Citizenship USA, INS will substantially increase its staff, expand its facilities, introduce new technology, streamline procedures and create new and better partnerships with community organizations. No one should wait two years to become a US citizen. Our new efforts will ensure they don't." 
One important change in procedure has already been revealed. Naturalization applicants in Los Angeles will mail their N-400 naturalization applications directly to the INS California Service Center.