Feelings of insecurity are fuelling the rise in applications for citizenship among Hispanics in the United States.

The citizenship campaign is as a result of the death of the immigration bill in the US senate, which would have granted temporary legal status to the over 12 million illegal immigrant workers, mostly Hispanics in the US.

It spurred legal residents Hispanics, who have been here for several years to seek security of citizenship, as well as voting power.

The number of new naturalized citizens has grown to about 115,000 a month. More than 4000 new Americans were sworn-in on July 4. In Iraq, 325 foreign born soldiers took the oath.

The application fee which has jumped from $400 to $675, is an insignificant factor compared to the quest to have voting rights.

Many non-profits and talk show hosts with Hispanic bias, are urging those eligible to apply.

Some of them contend that they were preparing to influence the return of all those who blocked the bill in the senate. According to them, it would be a disservice to their people to just sit back and watch while, those they tagged xenophobics call the shots.

Angel Ivan Alvarez, a 24 year old estate agent said he never thought of becoming a citizen until the bill failed in the senate.' I realized i want to be able to vote and speak up for my people'

Federico Guitarez, 53, long time legal resident, said after the bill failed, he thought it was time to engage in American politics.

Some of them are angry at comments made by Republicans opposed to the bill in the senate.

'they mad a lot of us legal residents look like lepers. i became a citizen because i want to vote in the next elections' Rachel Duverge, 32, a banker said.