$5.8M Harris County program aims to expand, support citizenship programs

Harris County commissioners announced on Jan. 23 a three-year $5.8 million program that aims to assist Harris County’s legal permanent residents in becoming naturalized U.S. citizens.

"Assisting residents in the naturalization process has numerous benefits for our communities and economies. They pay taxes, start businesses and participate in the workforce, which ultimately benefits the overall economic viability of the county. Naturalization can help keep families together," Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia said.

The cost

Funding was allocated with a $4 million grant from the nonprofit Houston Endowment and an additional $1.8 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, according to a news release from the county library.

"This enhances public safety and fosters trust between immigrant communities and authorities. This funding is a wise investment for the future of the county," Garcia said.

The details

Under a coordinated effort with officials from the Harris County Community Services Department, a network of public partners, nonprofits and the Harris County Public Library, together the entities will provide comprehensive support and assistance for immigrants who undergo the naturalization process. Some of the combined community efforts include:

• Civic education classes and exam preparation
• Naturalization interview preparation
• Funds to cover the naturalization application fee
• Immigration legal services

"We've often had waitlists and had classes that were full. We just weren't able to meet the needs of the community," said Linda Stevens, HCPL director of programs, partnerships and outreach.

• The grant funding will expand the library system's services to reach eligible participants in all areas of Harris County, according to the commissioners court agenda document.

The impact

In the Gulf Coast region, 94% of the population that hold lawful permanent residency and are eligible to become U.S. citizens reside in three counties, with the largest number in Harris County, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

By the numbers

According to the DHS, in the region:

• 54% of those eligible for citizenship in the region were women and 46% were men
• More than 67,000 of those eligible ranged from the ages of 30-39 years old
• More than 123,600 of those eligible for citizenship came from a pool of people who were immediate relatives of U.S. citizens
• More than 29,800 lawful permanent residents spend at least 10 years until they meet the requirements for citizenship eligibility

Get involved

HCPL offers free classes, including English as a Second Languages classes, throughout its 26 branches.

For more information on the initiative, HCPL launched the following webpage with resources and programs for those seeking assistance: www.hcpl.net/citizenship.