Strengthen and Unite Communities with Civics Education and English Development Act of 2015

Short title— This Act may be cited as the “Strengthen and Unite Communities with Civics Education and English Development Act of 2015”.

Table of contents— The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

According to the U.S. Census, there are presently more than 41.3 million foreign-born residents living in the United States, including 3 million refugees.

Over half, or 50.8 percent, of the total foreign-born population reports speaking English “less than very well”.

Limited English proficiency limits the employment prospects of these individuals and makes it more difficult to civically engage new immigrants.

Moreover, according to a study by the Migration Policy Institute, in 2008, there were more than 1.3 million college-educated immigrants unemployed or working in unskilled jobs.

This results in a loss in worker productivity, loss of income tax revenue, added cost of greater dependence on social services, and undermines the Nation’s ability to attract skilled immigrants.

A proactive integration policy for new immigrants and refugees at the State and local levels will maximize the benefits immigrants bring to our Nation.