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A Bureau of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Office of Citizenship

Welcome to the Office of Citizenship!

Eduardo Aguirre
Welcome Message from USCIS Director Eduardo Aguirre, Jr.

As Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, it is a great honor to welcome you to the Office of Citizenship website.  America is a place of freedom and opportunity, and each of us can be proud of this country and its heritage as a nation of immigrants.

Each year the U.S. welcomes hundreds of thousands of new citizens.  The choice to become a U.S. citizen is an important demonstration of one’s respect for the institutions and people of the United States of America.  U.S. citizenship is a common bond that links people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Through partnerships and outreach, the Office of Citizenship will implement programs designed to promote instruction and training on citizenship responsibilities and provide new opportunities to celebrate the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.
Thank You.

 bulletAbout the Office of Citizenship
bulletA Look at the Legislation
bulletPartnership
bulletOutreach
bulletCitizenship
bulletNaturalization Self-test
bulletApply for Naturalization
bulletOffice of Citizenship Brochure
    (PDF, 296 KB)
bulletNaturalization Information for
    Military Personnel
bulletSurvivor Benefits for Non-Citizen
    Relatives of Military Personnel
bulletHelping Immigrants Become
    New Americans:
    Communities Discuss the
    Issues
    (PDF, 26 pages, 643 KB)
bulletWelcome to the United States:
    A Guide for New Immigrants

About the Office of Citizenship

The Office of Citizenship works to promote an understanding of the civic principles on which this nation was founded and increase public awareness of the benefits and responsibilities associated with U.S. Citizenship.

We aim to:
Hands Enhance information and educational opportunities provided to legal immigrants to support their integration and participation in American civic culture.
  • Establish New Immigrant Orientation Initiative
  • Raise awareness of English language instruction opportunities for immigrants
  • Publicize available programs and resources to immigrants

Promote education and training on citizenship rights, privileges and responsibilities for immigrants interested in becoming citizens.
  • Update and standardize materials used for citizenship instruction
  • Improve access to materials and instructional opportunities for immigrants interested in becoming citizens
  • Publicize available programs and resources to immigrants
Infuse citizenship-related ceremonies and events with greater meaning and stature.
  • Standardize and enhance the meaning of naturalization ceremonies
  • Promote celebration of the meaning of citizenship

Office of Citizenship Legislation

H.R. 5005, Homeland Security Act of 2002

Title IV - Directorate of Border and Transportation Security

    Subtitle E--Citizenship and Immigration Services

        SEC. 451. ESTABLISHMENT OF BUREAU OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES.

            (f) CHIEF OF OFFICE OF CITIZENSHIP-

        (1) IN GENERAL- There shall be a position of Chief of the Office of Citizenship for the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.

        (2) FUNCTIONS- The Chief of the Office of Citizenship for the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services shall be responsible for promoting instruction and training on citizenship responsibilities for aliens interested in becoming naturalized citizens of the United States, including the development of educational materials.

See the full text of the Act.

Partnership

In order to fully realize its mandate, the Office of Citizenship will work in partnership with other Government agencies as well as community and faith-based groups and private organizations that share an interest in civic engagement and integration. These partnerships will allow the Office of Citizenship to achieve its stated goals and will promote valuable connections at all levels to better serve immigrants at all stages of their journey towards American citizenship.

Outreach

The Office of Citizenship has Community Liaison Officers reaching out to communities in the field. These Community Liaison Officers establish relationships with key community stakeholders, including community-based organizations, adult educators, and local and state officials to promote the objectives of the Office of Citizenship.

    Community Liaison Officer USCIS Field Locations :
    Arlington, VA
    Atlanta, GA
    Burlington, VT
    Chicago, IL
    Dallas, TX
    Denver, CO
    Detroit, MI
    Houston, TX
    Los Angeles, CA
    Laguna Niguel, CA
    Miami, FL
    New Orleans, LA
    New York, NY
    Phoenix, AZ
    Portland, OR
    San Antonio, TX
    San Francisco, CA

History and Important Document Resources

    Ben’s Guide on Bensguide.gov, for kids!
    National Archives

English Language Resources

    ProLiteracy Worldwide
    America’s Literacy

Other USCIS Resources

    Naturalization Information for Military Personnel (M-599)(text version)
    Naturalization Test Redesign Information
    Survivor Benefits for Non-Citizen Relatives of Military personnel (text version)
Last Modified 09/27/2004