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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-

    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 10/18/2004