Citizenship Education
Legal Permanent Residents enroll in Citizenship Education to learn about civic participation and U.S. history in preparation to apply for naturalization. Through the course, students also learn details about the naturalization process. We offer classes quarterly (every 3 months) in Yakima. Class meets two nights a week. Citizenship Education has the highest participation rate of all La Casa’s classes. We are able to offer these classes with the assistance of many volunteers and community partners.
More than 1,370 adults have become U.S. Citizens through La Casa’s Citizenship Education program since 2014.
To learn more about how to register for Citizenship classes, email mireya@lacasahogar.org or call 509-457-5058.
Naturalization Legal Services at La Casa Hogar
La Casa Hogar is accredited to practice naturalization law with the Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-and-accreditation-program. La Casa Hogar assists potential naturalization applicants with determining naturalization eligibility, filling out and submitting their naturalization application (Form N-400), USCIS fee waivers (Form I-912), and occasional interview preparation. La Casa Hogar has a team of five legal advocates that are currently pending individual accreditation with the Department of Justice, but who assist currently on completion of naturalization forms.
Naturalization Legal Services Waitlist
La Casa Hogar places all potential clients on a waitlist. Please contact us at (509) 731-4860 or (509) 457-5058 to be placed on the naturalization waitlist. Once you are on the waitlist, La Casa Hogar will call you to schedule a telephonic initial eligibility evaluation within a few days or weeks. La Casa Hogar also fills out the naturalization application at this initial evaluation. After that initial evaluation, and if it is determined that the potential client is eligible for naturalization, La Casa Hogar will schedule an appointment to sign their naturalization documents and to obtain copies of any relevant records.
What should I bring to the initial eligibility evaluation?
The focus of the initial evaluation is to determine if a potential client is eligible to naturalize. In part, eligibility is determined by completing the application for naturalization (From N-400). Here is a general list of the information that will be required to accurately and completely assess eligibility and fill out the naturalization application:
- Lawful Permanent Resident Card;
- Immigration history- dates, locations, and methods of entries and exits, as well as information about prior removal proceedings and deportations;
- Information on how potential client obtained lawful permanent residence (for example, obtained spouse visa from United States Citizen spouse);
- Criminal history- dates, locations, criminal charges, time spent in jail (if any), conditions of convictions (for example, probation) convictions;
- Marital History- names, immigration status of spouses and ex-spouses, dates of birth, date of marriage, and date of divorce;
- Immigration status of parents including birth dates, death dates, and date of naturalization;
- Work History in the last five years- dates, occupation, and employer name;
- Address History in the last five years- dates and addresses;
- Travel outside of the United States in the last five years- dates of exit and re-entry and country visited;
- Children Information- dates of birth, names, place of birth, current immigration status, and current addresses; and
- Benefits Information- if a potential client receives benefits, La Casa Hogar will request a copy of the benefits letter in English and with dates of award.
What happens once we turn my application in?
Once La Casa Hogar submits your application, within 1 month you should receive a receipt from USCIS. After 1-3 months, you should receive a notice from USCIS for a biometrics appointment. This notice will have the time and date of your appointment and other important instructions. As of November, 2021, USCIS is taking 10-14 months after the date that the application was received to send an interview notice to naturalization applicants. Check case processing times with USCIS: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/.
What happens at my interview?
At a naturalization interview, a USCIS officer will escort you to an individual office. Here, they will first administer the civics, reading, and writing exam in English. Here is a link to the 100 civics questions: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/100q.pdf. If you pass this exam, the USCIS officer will then review the information that you included on your naturalization application (Form N-400). If all goes well during your interview, the official can approve your naturalization and schedule an appointment for you to take the Oath of Allegiance.
What should I do once I am a citizen?
Get your US Passport: PASSPORT
Register to Vote: REGISTER