By: Matt Bush // November 2, 2011
The process of becoming a U.S. citizen can be a long and expensive one for immigrants, but a new program in Maryland is trying to ease at least one of those burdens.
Take Edward Zayzay, a native Liberian, who first came to the United States to go to college. After graduating with a degree in accounting, he decided to stay. There were a lot of economic reasons to do so, but also one economic hurdle: the $675 fee to start the naturalization process.
Get your US Citizenship http://www.casademaryland.org/
The New Americans Citizenship Project of Maryland
Of the 694,590 immigrants in Maryland, only 315,892 (45.5%) are currently U.S. citizens. In 2007, only 11,613 (9.7%) Maryland immigrants naturalized, far below the 120,000 LPRs eligible. The Maryland New Americans Partnership (MNAP) is a coalition of over 35 organizations whose goal is to bring together nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, businesses, unions and faith communities in Maryland who are committed to supporting eligible immigrants in their efforts to become U.S. citizens and active members of their communities post-naturalization.
MNAP launced the New Americans Citizenship Project of Maryland in October 2009, which is aimed at building the capacity and effectiveness of existing community-based organizations that assist Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) in the naturalization process through integrated citizenship services. The Project, a statewide AmeriCorps program, addresses the unique reasons why priority immigrant groups are not naturalizing through a comprehensive and coordinated citizenship promotion plan.
AmeriCorps members provide direct service in ourtreach, individual service delivery, and coordination of naturalization volunteers. Activities include teaching ESOL and citizenship classes, assisting LPRs with the N-400 application, and organizing outreach campaigns. A total of seven members are placed at host sites in Montgomery County, Baltimore City, Howard County, and Frederick County.
If you would like to learn more about the New American Initiative please contact Anna Anderson at aanderson@casamd.org.
To visit the New Americans Citizenship Project of Maryland website please visit www.citizenshipmaryland.org.
To access a copy of the A Regional Citizenship Promotion Plan: The New Americans Initiative please click here.