Mario Godoy

USCIS Announces New Citizenship Prep Grants

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced new grant opportunities for organizations that help immigrants prepare for naturalization and integrate into the U.S. On June 27, USCIS announced the expansion of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program and the new application period. In making the announcement, USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou said:

“We’re proud to support immigrants on their path to citizenship & look forward to welcoming our future fellow Americans.

This year, the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program is more robust than ever. These organizations are helping immigrants become citizens and integrate into the United States, and I am pleased that this year’s program will support innovative initiatives and deepen regional and local collaboration to reach more geographic areas around the country.”

Applications for all new citizenship prep grants are due by August 5, 2022.

Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services
This opportunity will fund public or nonprofit organizations offering citizenship instruction and naturalization application services to immigrants. USCIS expects to award 42 organizations up to $300,000 each for two years through this opportunity.

Community and Regional Integration Network Grant
This grant opportunity will provide extended integration services with a focus on individualized programming to certain immigrants, including those who entered the United States under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, were granted asylum, or were admitted or entered the United States as a Cuban or Haitian entrant, to attain the skills and knowledge required for successful citizenship.

Regional Hub Program
This new grant opportunity is designed to fund regional or statewide citizenship support networks that build capacity among their affiliates or members to provide direct citizenship preparation services to immigrants.

Innovations in Citizenship Education Program: This new grant opportunity is designed to amplify innovation. USCIS will award innovation grants to organizations that foster creative approaches to preparing immigrants for naturalization and encouraging the civic, linguistic, and cultural integration of immigrants into their communities.

For more information on new citizenship prep grants, visit the USCIS website: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-announces-expansion-of-citizenship-and-integration-grant-program-and-open-application-period.

Do You Want to Become A U.S. Citizen?

Are you thinking about becoming a U.S. citizen? Citizenship has lots of benefits such as never needing to renew your green card again, the right to vote, the ability to help other family members to get green cards, benefits and jobs that only U.S. citizens can get and peace of mind knowing the U.S. is your forever home.

10 Reasons To Become a U.S. Citizen

United States citizens are entitled to rights and privileges that Legal Permanent Residents – green card holders – do not have. Here are 10 reasons to become a United States citizen:

If a green card holder commits a crime, their legal permanent resident status can be revoked and deported. A naturalized citizen is entitled to the same rights as a natural-born citizen and cannot be deported.
U.S. citizens can vote in local and federal elections.
Citizens get priority to sponsor family members to move to the United States permanently.
A child born abroad to a U.S. citizen may automatically obtain U.S. citizenship.
Citizens are eligible for Federal jobs that LPRs cannot get.
A U.S. passport and the ability to contact the U.S. Embassy provide some protection during international travel.
Specific educational scholarships are only available to U.S. citizens.
Citizenship almost eliminates the risk of deportation. Unless someone committed fraud during their immigration proceedings, citizenship is permanent. Once a person becomes a citizen, they are typically immune from deportation.
Citizens are permitted to leave the country for long periods of time, unlike green card holders.
It costs less to become a U.S. citizen than to remain a green card holder. Permanent residents must renew their green card every 10 years and pay applicable fees.

Realize Your American Dream With Godoy Law Office

Don’t be intimidated by paperwork, requirements and deadlines! Godoy Law Office can help you complete your citizenship application and guide you all the way to the American Dream. We can determine if you meet the citizenship requirements, complete all the forms, submit required documents and make sure no deadlines are missed.

Contact our experienced immigration and citizenship lawyers to schedule an appointment at 630-912-0322.