USCIS Citizenship and Integration Grant Program Listening Session

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services invites you to participate in a listening session on Friday, Dec. 8, from 2 – 3 p.m. Eastern, to engage in dialogue with us about the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. Since 2009, USCIS has awarded nearly $155 million through 644 competitive grants to immigrant-serving organizations in 41 states and the District of Columbia. With the program now operating in its 15th year, we are seeking feedback from the public on ways we can better meet the needs of organizations working to promote naturalization among the eligible to naturalize members of their communities. 

Questions for consideration:

While USCIS is interested in overall feedback regarding the Citizenship and Integration Grant program, we would appreciate feedback on the following questions:

1. The goal of the USCIS Citizenship and Integration Grant Program is to expand the availability of high-quality citizenship preparation services across the nation. Although USCIS has funded organizations in 41 states, there are pockets of Lawful Permanent Resident populations that have not benefited from USCIS funding. What are the most effective ways to raise awareness about the USCIS grant program?
2. What barriers prevent immigrant-serving organizations from applying for USCIS grant funding?
3. Currently, the average funding level of a USCIS grant is $300,000 and this funding is used over a two-year performance period. In your opinion, would the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program be more effective in meeting its goal if it offered a smaller number of larger grants, or a larger number of smaller grants? Why?
4. If you were writing a grant to help USCIS achieve its goal of expanding our national capacity to support those on the pathway to citizenship, what type of grant would you write and why? Please keep in mind that grant funds cannot be used to pay USCIS application fees or to provide services to individuals who are not on a pathway to citizenship.
5. There are approximately 9.2 million Lawful Permanent Residents in the United States that may be eligible to naturalize. What are the unmet needs of these LPRs, and what type of programs should USCIS consider funding to help meet these needs?

To Register:

1. Visit our registration page.
2. You will be asked to provide your email address and select “Submit.”
3. On the next screen, you will see a notification that you successfully subscribed to this event.

Once we process your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional details.  

If you have any questions, or if you have not received a confirmation email within two business days, please email us at public.engagement@uscis.dhs.gov. 

To request a disability accommodation to participate in this engagement, email us at public.engagement@uscis.dhs.gov by 4 p.m. Eastern on Friday, December 1.

Note to media: This engagement is not for press purposes. Please contact the USCIS Press Office at media@uscis.dhs.gov for any media inquiries.

We look forward to your participation!