FY 2016 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services

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The Office of Citizenship (OoC), within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is charged with promoting instruction and training on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. USCIS recognizes that naturalization is an important milestone in the civic integration of immigrants. Naturalization requirements, such as knowledge of English and of U.S. history and civics, encourage civic learning and build a strong foundation upon which immigrants can exercise their rights and responsibilities. Through preparing for naturalization, immigrants will gain the tools to become successful citizens—ready to exercise their rights and meet their responsibilities as United States citizens. The goal of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program is to expand the availability of high quality citizenship preparation services for lawful permanent residents in communities across the nation. Additional activities that support this goal include making citizenship instruction and naturalization application services accessible to low-income and other underserved lawful permanent resident populations; developing, identifying, and sharing promising practices in citizenship preparation; supporting innovative and creative solutions to barriers faced by those seeking naturalization; increasing the use of and access to technology in citizenship preparation programs; working with local libraries which serve as a vital resource for immigrant communities; and incorporating strategies to foster welcoming communities as part of the citizenship and civic integration process. The Citizenship and Integration Grant Program addresses the following DHS mission as specified in the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR): Mission 3: Enforce and Administer Our Immigration Laws Goal 3.1: Strengthen and Effectively Administer the Immigration System • Promote lawful immigration; • Effectively administer the immigration services system; and • Promote the integration of lawful immigrants into American society.

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