USCIS focused this year on reaching remote, underserved, and vulnerable communities per Executive Order 14012, Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans. This fiscal year (FY), the grant program received an increase of $5 million from FY 2022., Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans, and the corresponding Interagency Strategy on Promoting Naturalization. The grant program received an increase of $5 million from FY 2022.

The Citizenship and Integration Grants provide funding to organizations that prepare immigrants for naturalization and promote civic integration through increased knowledge of English, U.S. history, and civics. In addition to the traditional programs that fund citizenship and English acquisition classes, FY 2023 grants include opportunities for creative and innovative approaches to preparing immigrants for naturalization.

“USCIS is committed to making the United States a stronger, more inclusive, and welcoming nation. We encourage naturalization by educating remote, underserved, and vulnerable populations about the benefits of citizenship and the naturalization process,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou.

The Citizenship and Integration Grant Program has awarded nearly $155 million through 644 competitive grants to immigrant-serving organizations in 41 states and the District of Columbia since it began in 2009. Now in its 15th year, the program has helped more than 300,000 LPRs prepare for citizenship.

USCIS awarded the grants through three competitive funding opportunities: Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services (CINAS), Community and Regional Integration Network Grant (CARING), and Innovations in Citizenship Preparation Program.

In making final award decisions, USCIS considered, in part, grantees’ past performance, when applicable. For additional information on the FY 2023 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, visit www.uscis.gov/grants or email the USCIS Office of Citizenship, Partnership and Engagement at citizenshipgrantprogram@uscis.dhs.gov.

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