As the US presidential election nears, green card holders are being urged to secure their citizenship and register to vote. Under President Joe Biden’s administration, eligible green card holders can obtain US citizenship in just three weeks, said Shekhar Narasimhan, president and founder of the Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Victory Fund.
America will vote on November 5 to elect its President.
According to data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), more than one million Indians are stuck in long queues for green cards. Many highly skilled professionals from India, including doctors, engineers and scientists, are facing waiting periods that can be extremely long. Extension for decades to obtain permanent residence in the US,
“Getting excited and converting it into votes are often two different things. It depends on how you take that energy, convince people it’s worth their time, and make sure they apply for citizenship, which can be obtained in three weeks,” Narasimhan said, according to PTI.
The Green Card, officially called the Permanent Resident Card, signifies a person’s status as a permanent resident in the United States.
“If you have a green card and have been living here for five years, get your citizenship. There is still time. Register to vote,” Narasimhan said, according to PTI.
He stressed the importance of registering early and adhering to deadlines in various states. He also suggested creating WhatsApp groups to remind friends about voting.
“In many states you have to register in advance and there are deadlines. Finally, create a WhatsApp group, add 20 of your friends to it, remind each other every day why it is important and get out to vote,” he said.
The AAPI Victory Fund is one of the first SuperPACs focused on strengthening the political influence of the Asian American Pacific Islander community.
Narasimhan said Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential run has generated a lot of excitement among Indian-Americans, Asian-Americans and other groups. To be eligible for citizenship, green card holders must have lived in the US for at least five years.
“So, if you haven’t done so yet, get your citizenship. Register to vote. Vote, and encourage others to vote, too,” he urged, adding that all this can be done in 100 days.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, there were 12.9 million green card holders living in the US in 2022, of whom 9.2 million met the age and residency requirements to obtain citizenship.