Backyard barbecues. Fireworks. A day off work. Among these traditions we look forward to on the Fourth of July, there is an even more patriotic rite of passage: the oath immigrants take to become American citizens.
The naturalization ceremony opens up a world of benefits for immigrants, but the advantages may be even bigger for cities and counties. Helping immigrants pursue naturalization is a boon for municipalities, allowing them to reap millions more in tax revenues from the higher economic gains that citizenship brings, and in turn put that tax revenue to use in improving public services.
