INFORMATION ABOUT THE COURSE
The virtual course is designed to help legal permanent residents pass the citizenship test given by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Through the program, adults learn about U.S. history and government and are encouraged to take the citizenship exam.
The naturalization interview includes demonstrating that you can read, write, and speak English at a basic level and that you have a basic understanding of US history and government. There are some individuals who qualify for the interview in their native language (Exempt English) but only if they meet the requirements (age and time with your residence).
CARECEN is currently offering online citizenship classes. You must have access to a computer, tablet or smartphone to join the class. We offer courses in both in English and Spanish.
- Citizenship Class -- Lasts 10 weeks. Students develop a foundation in the 100 civics questions in the citizenship exam, as well as learning to read, recognize and write the vocabulary required in the reading and dictation portions of the citizenship interview.
- English Exempt Class (EE) -- Lasts 12 weeks. Tailored for students who have been approved to take an abridged version of the test or who are taking the test in Spanish. You must meet the age and time requirement to enroll in this course.
REGISTRATION / VIRTUAL CLASS SCHEDULE
***Please note, only students who have completed the N-400 application will be enrolled in a class. For more information on how to apply for citizenship, see the immigration legal services section.
To register, please complete this online form: Citizenship Class Inquiry. The current virtual class schedule is located at the top of the form. An instructor will contact you by phone on Friday or Monday to review the information provided and place you on the appropriate citizenship course.
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
For more information on how to apply for citizenship, please schedule an appointment at our main office in CARECEN-LA by calling our hotline 213-814-5248 between regular business hours of 9 am to 5 pm.
Please note that in response to the COVID 19 situation, our office is currently completing legal services remotely.
DUE TO CONCERNS ABOUT COVID-19, PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT CARECEN OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. PLEASE COMMUNICATE VIA TELEPHONE OR ELECTRONICALLY, AS WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCOMMODATE IN-PERSON MEETINGS AT THIS TIME.
DONATE TO THE PROGRAM
This citizenship education program is an integral service to the immigrant community. Classes are offered in low income communities to ensure members of the community have access to navigating the Naturalization process.
Students who attend citizenship class courses come from different educational backgrounds; some might not have beyond a primary school education in their home country and others might have attended college. Students with little to no education require additional tutoring or assistance.
In essence, CARECEN’s citizenship classes has served as a large de facto adult school that has provided free citizenship education for over a decade in the Los Angeles community and is now at the verge of closing its doors. This is happening across various non-profit legal services organizations due to changes in and loss of federal government funding for citizenship education. At the same time, applicants for citizenship need access to citizenship preparation and education more than ever.
Nationally, legal service providers have noticed an increased rate of denial of medical exemptions to the citizenship exam, and an increased denial of citizenship applications based on a higher scrutiny of the English language proficiency and civics education portion of the interview. Naturalization applicants need legal services and educational assistance to successfully complete the naturalization process.
Will you collaborate with CARECEN to bridge the citizenship education gap and help rising Americans, elderly and disabled lawful permanent residents, achieve their American Dream?
--> I WANT TO DONATE TO THE CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM - Thank you for your donation!
