MDCPS to end citizenship classes for immigrants following cuts to federal funding

As the fight against Alligator Alcatraz heats up Miami-Dade County Constituents Schools made the complicated decision to end citizenship classes for immigrants due to cuts in federal funding The popular system known as Fast Track to Citizenship is responsible for helping thousands of immigrants in South Florida prepare their applications for the naturalization exam The undertaking later charged a fee MDCPS in collaboration with Catholic Legal Services and the Archdiocese of Miami has previously helped immigrants gain their citizenship across the district for years Meanwhile in the fight against Alligator Alcatraz the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida has joined in an environmental lawsuit against the state Having already condemned the facility the filing on Monday signals a new level of opposition by the tribe a major political donor The federal lawsuit seeks to stop the project until it undergoes an environmental review process as is required by federal and state law As the fight continues Florida Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar introduced the Dignity Immigration Act on Tuesday which would protect those who have been in the country for over five years They did break the law she announced They are illegal They are undocumented But they have been here for over five years contributing to the economic system No path to citizenship in my law No amnesty No path ever Just bring them out of the shadows and make them pay a fine for seven years That is billions of dollars to the treasury Make them give us one percent of their salary over seven years No federal programs No soundness insurance Then they can go back home for Christmas They can come back continue working buying homes paying taxes and continue contributing to the market The bill is a bipartisan one co-sponsored by a Texas Democrat