U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced grants totaling over $22 million to support lawful permanent residents (LPRs) across 29 states in their journey toward naturalization. Here are the key details:
Expanded Reach: USCIS is directing efforts toward underserved and remote communities, aligning with Executive Order 14012’s goal of enhancing confidence in immigration systems and fostering inclusion among new Americans.
Increased Funding: This fiscal year saw a $5 million increase in grant funds compared to FY 2022.
Grant Objectives: These Citizenship and Integration Grants aid organizations in readying immigrants for naturalization and promoting civic integration through English language proficiency, U.S. history, and civics education. This year’s grants encourage innovative approaches to naturalization preparation.
Impact So Far: The Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, active for 15 years, has allocated nearly $155 million across 644 competitive grants in 41 states and the District of Columbia. This initiative has assisted over 300,000 LPRs in their citizenship preparation.
USCIS divided the grants among three competitive funding opportunities:
- Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services (CINAS): Supporting organizations that provide both citizenship instruction and naturalization application assistance. USCIS awarded up to $450,000 each to 51 organizations for a two-year period.
- Community and Regional Integration Network Grant (CARING): This grant focuses on tailored programming for specific immigrant groups, including those admitted under various programs and victims of trafficking or abuse. USCIS granted one organization, with experience serving vulnerable populations, up to $300,000 over two years.
- Innovations in Citizenship Preparation Program: Encouraging innovative approaches to citizenship preparation and community integration. USCIS awarded up to $250,000 each to 13 organizations for a two-year period.
These grants underscore USCIS’s commitment to supporting immigrants in their path to U.S. citizenship and facilitating their integration into American society.
