June 14th, 2023 at 05:28 am
USCIS Update: USCIS Announces Expansion of Citizenship & Integration Grant Program | US Immigration
The Citizenship and Integration Grant Program will now be expanded, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Program funding is made available for citizenship education initiatives in localities around the nation. The program, already accepting applications, would offer grants totaling up to $25 million to help immigrants prepare for naturalization. Improving English, American history, and civics understanding will also encourage civic integration.
The grants from 2023 as well as the more established initiatives that support citizenship and English classes provide immigrants the chance to be creative and imaginative in their preparation for naturalization. Organizations will have the ability to connect with more communities and guarantee that non-citizens have the chance to utilize the resources and tools required for citizenship education by securing greater financing possibilities.
Under the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, USCIS aims to increase the availability of top-notch citizenship and integration services across the nation.
1. Community and Regional Integration Network Grant
With a focus on personalized programming for specific immigrants, such as those who entered the country through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and received asylum, this grant possibility offers extended integration services, helping them develop the skills and knowledge necessary for successful citizenship.
The program was originally known as the Refugee and Asylee Integration Services Grant. Organizations that provided services to the following vulnerable populations are now eligible for the program;
- Individuals who were permitted to, or entered the country as visitors from Haiti or Cuba
- Also, persons accepted under a Special Immigrant Visa Victims of criminal activity
- Lastly, human trafficking Spouses, kids, and parents abused in violation of the Violence Against Women Act.
USCIS envisions awarding a maximum of 3 public or charitable organizations with expertise in helping people with risk factors up to $300,000 each over the course of 2 years through this opportunity. The deadline for applications is July 28, 2023.
2. Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services
This funding opportunity will support public or nonprofit groups that provide lawful permanent residents with citizenship directives and naturalization application services. Through this opportunity, USCIS aims to provide up to $30,000 to 55 groups each for a period of two years.
3. Regional Hub Program
The goal of this grant opportunity is to increase community and organizational capacity to recognize, assist, and help naturalize LPRs. To do this, grantees will contribute to the development or growth of citizenship networks and offer technical support to specific network members that provide services for naturalization applications and citizenship education.
The Regional Hub Grant will promote LPR integration into receiving areas and provide more comprehensive support to LPRs on the Pathway to Citizenship through a hub and spoke funding approach. Through this opportunity, USCIS expects to issue a total of 4 grants of up to $1 million each for a duration of 2 years.
4. Innovations in Citizenship Education Program
Through this grant program, USCIS will provide funding to public, nonprofit, or for-profit groups that promote innovative methods to qualify immigrants for naturalization and promote immigrants’ civic, language-related, and cultural integration. The innovations program invests in projects that develop, test, and share innovative solutions for removing obstacles to naturalization and increasing access to nationality education and preparation services, whereas USCIS’s other funding alternatives support particular citizenship preparation services.
Through this opportunity, USCIS aims to grant up to 14 groups $250,000 each over the course of two years. 579 grants totaling $132 million issued to groups that assist immigrants since 2009 through the Grant. These grant recipients have helped over 300,000 immigrants in 39 Provinces and the District of Columbia prepare for citizenship.
USCIS anticipates announcing award recipients in September 2023 after receiving funding from Congress through appropriations. However, this initiative still holds for this fiscal year 2023 to make these financial opportunities available to communities. Visit grants.gov to apply for these financial opportunities.
Before the application deadline, USCIS advises candidates to go to grants.gov to get the registration details for the application process.
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