2012 USCIS Citizenship Grant

Contributed by Amber Blasingame

On September 17, 2012, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a grant of approximately $5 million to 31 organizations in 21 states for Citizenship and Immigrant Integration Programs.  The City of Littleton is the only recipient in Colorado to receive grant funding in FY2012.

Since 2008, USCIS has annually granted money to qualified non-profit and profit organizations to “promote immigrant civic integration and prepare permanent residents for citizenship.”  Prior to 2012, “USCIS awarded a total of $18.3 million through 111 grants to immigrant-serving organizations.”

The grants are awarded for performance over a two year period.  Performance includes offering assistance to prospective citizens with both the English and civics test required for naturalization.  Recipient organizations may also provide assistance “within the scope of the authorized practice of law” with preparation of necessary paperwork to initiate the naturalization process.