New Americans Collaboration
In 2011, CLINIC and seven national organizations received a multi-year and multi-state grant to increase the number of eligible Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) to become U.S. citizens by assisting them with the naturalization process through the development of innovative approaches and technologies and exchanging best practices.
Through the New Americans Collaboration, CLINIC provides funding and technical assistance to six local affiliate agencies to expand and strengthen their existing services in Charlotte (NC), Clinton Township (MI), Dallas (TX), Houston (TX), Los Angeles (CA), and Miami (FL). These local affiliates receive access to CLINIC’s expertise in naturalization and immigration law, including the immigration and information support line, reduced registration fees for training and the Annual Convening, free access to live and recorded webinars, and advocacy support.
To achieve the goal of motivating eligible LPRs to become U.S. citizens and assisting them with the process, each national partner will contribute its organizational strengths to build an integrated program that incorporates: advocacy; capacity building and training; collaboration among partner organizations, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders; media and communications; direct naturalization services; research; and innovative approaches and technology.
Our Local Partners
Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, Inc.
Catholic Social Services (CSS) serves 16 counties in Western North Carolina through its main office in Asheville. CSS has an accredited Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) Immigration Program that provides high-quality services to over 1,000 low-income immigrants each year. In 2010, CSS assisted with 1,125 immigration cases, including consular processing, family-based petitions, and obtaining lawful permanent residency. Notably, CSS is the site leader for the local Charlotte collaboration.
Catholic Services of Macomb & Lapeer Counties (Clinton Township, MI)
Situated in Southeast Michigan, Macomb & Lapeer Counties have a long tradition of receiving immigrants into the community, and this migration pattern remains strong today. Macomb County (in the greater Detroit area) is the third largest county in the state of Michigan, as well as one of the fastest growing, particularly in terms of immigrant populations. Catholic Services of Macomb (CSM) has a new immigration program with a broad outreach that serves the Ukrainian, Polish, Latino and Chaldean communities. Notably, CSM is the site leader for the local Detroit collaboration.
Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc.
Since World War II, Catholic Charities of Los Angeles has served newly-arrived immigrants and refugees by assisting them in learning English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) and understanding American social norms, training them for jobs, and helping them to legalize their residency and obtain U.S. citizenship through naturalization. Catholic Charities has a diverse clientele that have emigrated from Latin America, Southeast Asia, China, Iraq, Iran, Haiti, and Ethiopia. Notably, Catholic Charities is a sub-grantee recipient of the USCIS National Capacity Building Grant, which focuses on developing ESL citizenship classes and civic education programs and promoting naturalization and immigrant integration.
Catholic Charities of Dallas, Inc.
Catholic Charities has a fully accredited BIA Immigration and Legal Services (ILS) program that was established in 1975 to assist the growing immigrant population of North Texas. ILS attorneys and accredited staff provide services to clients that include family visa petitions, adjustment of status applications, naturalization services, and deportation representation. Recently, Catholic Charities was awarded a USCIS Citizenship and Integration grant to provide both educational services and direct legal services to citizenship applicants. Catholic Charities is also the site leader for the local Dallas collaboration, and received a national grant from USCIS to extend direct citizenship services to LPRs living in the Dallas area.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
The St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance (“Cabrini Center”) became a program of Catholic Charities in 1986. In 2010, Cabrini Center assisted LPRs with filing over 1,000 applications for naturalization. Cabrini Center is also active in helping clients to file family visa petitions, establish legal permanent residency, and inform clients of available immigration benefits and legal rights.
Catholic Charities Legal Services, Archdiocese of Miami, Inc.
Catholic Charities Legal Services (CCLS) serves a diverse population in the Miami-Dade County that encompasses Downtown Miami, Coral Gables, and Aventura. Staff members from CCLS conduct presentations on naturalization and citizenship at three adult education centers throughout Miami and target immigrants from Haiti, Central America, Venezuela, and Cuba. Notably, CCLS is the site leader for the local Miami collaboration.
CLINIC Project Resources
Citizenship for Us: A Handbook on Naturalization & Citizenship 6th Edition - Citizenship for Us is a comprehensive guide to the naturalization process that provides detailed information on citizenship eligibility, requirements, and benefits and a step-by-step explanation of the N-400 (Application for Naturalization). The guide includes 13 study units on U.S. history and civics, historic photos, timelines, a sample naturalization interview, and a chapter on civic participation. It is geared for immigrants, community leaders, ESL teachers, and other non-attorneys.
Citizenship and Civic Participation Toolkit - This toolkit contains a number of resources on citizenship and civic participation.
Toolkit for Naturalization Workshops - This toolkit is designed to help charitable immigration programs achieve a successful workshop. The forms and sample documents can be used as is or adapted by local programs for their own needs.
Managing an Immigration Program: Steps for Creating and Increasing Legal Capacity - This manual describes best practices used by many of the country's most experienced nonprofit immigration programs and managers.
Group Application Workshop Model - This webinar aims to promote the effective use of the group application workshop model to expand the availability of charitable legal immigration services, principally for naturalization but also for other purposes, including legalization application processing.
USCIS Guide to Naturalization - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) created this Guide to provide better and more consistent information to people interested in naturalization.
USCIS Citizenship Public Education and Awareness Initiative - USCIS strives to promote awareness of the rights, responsibilities, and importance of obtaining U.S. citizenship, and the free naturalization preparation resources available to LPRs and immigrant-serving organizations.
Have a Question?
If you have any feedback or questions, please contact Rommel Calderwood at rcalderwood@cliniclegal.org.