Family Support

Citizenship Assistance

The New Citizen Initiative (NCI) provides funding to 20 community-based organizations which help lower-income individuals apply for U.S. citizenship and prepare for the English and U.S. history and civics tests required. NCI also provides technical and legal assistance through the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. The technical and legal assistance includes: 1) training and/or community information sessions on naturalization for NCI agencies and members of the immigrant and refugee communities, and 2) assistance with legal issues, appeals, disability waivers, and representation at naturalization interviews to resolve naturalization application issues.

U.S. citizenship provides:

• the right to vote;
• a U.S. passport;
• family reunification;
• access to public benefits, employment and educational opportunities;
• parents the ability to get citizenship for their children; and
• families the opportunity to stay together.

NCI serves parents and individuals eligible for U.S. citizenship in Seattle and King County. Most services are bilingual and tailored to the specific needs of the participants including people who are elderly, not literate in their home language or have very limited English skills.

NCI was launched by the City of Seattle in response to the 1996 national welfare and immigration reform legislation limiting non-citizens’ access to public benefits. NCI has served more than 11,400 immigrants and refugees since it was launched in 1997. Today, the program serves about 1,600 people per year.

Funding for this program is provided by the City of Seattle, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, and Seattle Housing Authority. City allocations to the nonprofit, community-based organizations providing these services are determined through a competitive process that is conducted by the Seattle Human Services Department at least once every four years. Continued funding during funding cycles depends upon program performance and funding availability. In 2009, the City of Seattle funding allocation for agencies providing services through the NCI program is approximately $420,436 and additional State of Washington funds of approximately $988,000.

2009 Funded Agencies and Programs

• Asian Counseling & Referral Service
• Catholic Refugee & Immigration Services
• Center for Career Alternatives
• Center for MultiCultural Health
• Chinese Information and Service Center
• El Centro de la Raza
• Filipino Community of Seattle
• Horn of Africa Services
• International District Housing
• International Rescue Committee
• Jewish Family Service
• Literacy Source
• My Service Mind
• Neighborhood House
• Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
• Refugee Women’s Alliance
• SeaMar Community Health Centers
• St. James ESL Program
• Ukrainian Community Center

Eligibility and Applications

To find out if you are eligible for services contact any of the agencies listed above. Citizenship applications can also be found on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) web site: www.uscis.gov

Information

In partnership with the Seattle Public Library, NCI sponsored the “Guide to Naturalization”, a booklet that answers some of the most common questions about naturalization, provides study materials for the naturalization exam, and lists organizations that help with citizenship or offer English as a Second Language classes. It has been translated into 13 languages and is available at the Washington Law Help webpage.

For more information about Seattle Human Services Department-funded services for children and families, call Deborah Harris at 206-684-8852 or e-mail childrenandfamilies@seattle.gov.

For information about our partners and related programs contact the agencies listed above or the 211 Community Information Line by dialing 211 or 1-800-621-4636.

For more information about housing for low-income Seattle residents, go to the Seattle Housing Authority.

Links

• Current Funding Opportunities
• News