Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

TO help lawful permanent residents become US citizens, the government has made available some $7 million worth of grants for citizenship education and immigrant integration in communities across the country.

The amount is seven times bigger than allocation last year, records from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) indicated.

"We are proud that the White House and Congress have made immigration integration by increasing the budget allotted (to this)," USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas said.

"We strongly believe that all immigrants should receive tools they need to be successful," he told a telephone press briefing last Feb. 25.

Two types of grants will be made available to government and private institutions who want to provide citizenship preparation services in their communities.

"The first grant will strengthen locally-based citizenship preparation programs," USCIS Office of Citizenship Chief Rebecca Carson said.

"The second grant will increase the capacity of members or affiliates of national, regional, or statewide organizations to offer citizenship services in underserved communities," she added.

Those that are eligible for the grants include state governments, county governments, school districts, state controlled institutions of higher education, nonprofit agencies, private institutions of higher education and small businesses.

"We do look at past experience, their experience managing grant-funded programs," Carson also said.

These institutions need to present local programs that will promote the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Proposed activities must include an education component consisting of English as a second language -or ESL- instruction as well as lessons on US history and government. This is expected to prepare lawful permanent residents for the civics, and English reading, writing and speaking components of the naturalization test.

In addition to the mandatory education component, grant funds may be used to provide naturalization application preparation assistance, including legal services.

Through these two competitive grant programs, USCIS said it seeks to expand citizenship preparation programs for legal residents of the country.

"This will ensure that those who are committed to the goal of US citizenship receive the support they need to be successful," USCIS said in its website.

Applications for both grant opportunities are due by April 30th. The USCIS expects to announce an estimated 50 award recipients in September.

Last year, the USCIS awarded $1.2 million in grants to 13 immigrant-serving organizations across the country. These awards are currently expanding services and outreach on US citizenship, educational opportunities, and available resources to nearly 70,000 lawful permanent residents in 11 states.

( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published February 27, 2010 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. A6 )