Empowering Aspiring Legal Permanent Residents: Free Educational Pathways to U.S. Citizenship

Immigrant and Refugee Support

County of Los Angeles

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

Our understanding is that Legal Permanent Residents often face multifaceted challenges in their pursuit of U.S. citizenship, which include language barriers and a lack of comprehension of critical concepts like the U.S. Constitution. Many aspirants struggle with reading and writing in English, which hinders their ability to understand and adequately respond to citizenship test questions. Additionally, the complexity of the citizenship application can be daunting. Our initiative addresses these issues by not only assisting them in filling out the citizenship application with their answers but, more importantly, providing education to build their language skills and a deeper understanding of essential civics concepts. Through personalized assistance and education, we empower them to navigate the citizenship process more confidently and effectively.

The grant will support an expanded 'Citizenship Education and Empowerment Program,' aimed at full immersion in the three subjects of the Naturalization Test: reading, writing, and understanding civics concepts. The program is meticulously designed in both English and Spanish to cater to the linguistic needs of a diverse group of Legal Permanent Residents. Through interactive and participative methods, we create an engaging learning environment that builds essential language skills and a deep understanding of American government and history. Additionally, the grant will enable us to widen our support, reaching out to a larger audience and providing more personalized assistance in filling out citizenship applications. Our approach ensures that language barriers and complexities of the citizenship process are no longer insurmountable obstacles, paving the way for confident and informed aspiring citizens.

If our work is successful, Los Angeles County will witness a transformative change in the accessibility and quality of citizenship education for Legal Permanent Residents. By conducting in-person events at various locations across the county, we will foster a community-centric approach to learning and support. The increased availability of online webinars and Zoom events will ensure that individuals, regardless of their location, can access vital resources and education. Additionally, we will be able to strengthen collaborative networks with other organizations supporting the community, creating a robust support system. The incorporation of homework and structured learning initiatives will further enhance participants' understanding and retention of critical concepts. Ultimately, this holistic approach will contribute to higher success rates in the naturalization process and an empowered, informed, and inclusive community of new U.S. citizens in Los Angeles County.

We are measuring the impact of our Citizenship Education and Empowerment Program through both quantitative and qualitative means. Quantitatively, we track the number of participants who successfully obtain U.S. citizenship after participating in our program. This serves as a direct indicator of the program's effectiveness in guiding Legal Permanent Residents through the naturalization process. Qualitatively, we assess the long-term knowledge retention of the participants by conducting follow-up surveys and interviews, focusing on their understanding of civics concepts and their integration into American society. Additionally, my background as a retired professional from the Department of Homeland Security, with a focus on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, has enriched the program with expertise and insights that contribute to its effectiveness in addressing the challenges faced by Legal Permanent Residents on their path to citizenship.