Removing Barriers to Citizenship

Removing Barriers to Citizenship: 

Support Our Immigrant Community on the Path to Naturalization

At Literacy Source, adults work hard to build stable lives, support their families, and fully participate in their communities. But for many, the final step of securing citizenship comes with costs, paperwork, exams, and barriers that can make an already daunting process even more difficult.

That’s where Literacy Source comes in and where we’re asking for your support.

Alongside our citizenship classes, we provide one-on-one support to help people complete applications, and navigate the process with as much confidence as possible. We also help eligible applicants apply for fee waivers, so cost does not stand in the way of opportunity.

For some families, we assist with the N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship, which helps children claim proof of citizenship through their parents. This is life-changing; opening doors to higher education, employment, and long-term security for generations to come.

For others, we help them navigate the N-648 Disability waiver, intended for those who will have trouble passing the citizenship test due to health reasons. We’ve helped cancer patients with “chemo- brain", people with developmental delays, and clients with PTSD; ensuring that a health condition does not stop their dream of naturalizing.

Our Citizenship Program Manager is there every step of the way, often being present at their interview to ensure their rights are respected, and sometimes even attending the Naturalization Ceremony, cheering them on, and taking pictures. Naturalizing and becoming a United States Citizen is a dream and huge accomplishment for many.

Donate today to help more families take the final step toward citizenship, stability, and belonging.

Your donation of:

• $30 help cover costs to attend the citizenship interview
• $50 mails four citizenship applications to USCIS
• $250 helps file citizenship paperwork for one child
• $500 helps complete one disability waiver application
• $1,000 supports a family of four through the naturalization process

Your GiveBIG donation gives the gift of citizenship and leaves a lasting impact on individuals, their families, and our entire community.

Preview a Citizenship story:

...On the day of Kiara’s Citizenship interview, Team Kiara’s excitement was palpable.

Kiara was clear-eyed and knew why she was there. In no time at all, she was playing with her American flag and saying, "I America!"

In that moment, her husband's hard work paid off. From that point on, no matter what happened, he and his wife were United States Citizens and had a place they belonged.

“Team Kiara kept thanking me. And I am proud of the work I did on this case, but, more so, I am proud of Team Kiara. Our small team represents just a portion of those who helped along the way. There are family members, advocates, friends, teachers, lawyers, nurses, doctors, and funders who made this day possible. I love my job because I get to be there at the exact moment that a million things come together for people and they finally get to say, "I America." And that makes me happy to be America too. Best job ever!”

-Cory, Citizenship Program Manager

Click to read more citizenship stories

Hear interviews from some Literacy Source students:

Literacy Source is accepting clients who are in need of citizenship assistance.
To learn more visit: https://www.literacysource.org

Literacy Source is accredited by the United States Department of Justice. Citizenship program funded in part by the City of Seattle Office of Immigrant Refugee Affairs' New Citizen Program.