Office of Citizenship Presentation
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Rachael M. Shaw Office of Citizenship Context for Immigration to the U.S. Demographic Trends 1. LARGEST WAVE: The U.S. is receiving its largest wave of immigrants. The foreign-born population is expected to grow from 12.5% (38 million) in 2008 to 19% (83 million) by 2050. 2. NEW PLACES: Immigrants settled from the early 1990s until recently in “New Gateways” (e.g. North Carolina, Nevada, Georgia) that have limited experience providing for the needs of diverse immigrant populations. 3. NEW COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN: Over 80% of immigrants now come from outside Europe (e.g. Mexico, India, China). Recent population growth is being driven by U.S.-born children of Hispanic immigrants. Office of Citizenship Context for Immigration to the U.S. 40 Foreign-Born Population (millions) Percent Foreign Born of Total 38 million 30 (2007, 2008) 14.8% 20 10 12.5% 4.7% (2008) 0 1840 1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 Office of Citizenship 2000 Context for Immigration to the U.S. Immigrant Settlement Patterns Office of Citizenship Context for Immigration to the U.S. Origins of Foreign-born Mexico 11.4 million (30%) Other Latin America 8.7 million (23%) Africa 1.4 million (4%) Asia 10.4 million (27%) Europe, Canada, Australia 6 million (16%) Office of Citizenship Immigration and Demographic Change Total U.S. Population Snapshot and Projection 2008 Total 2050 Total 304,228,000 439,010,000 66% 199,804,000 47% 203,347,000 Hispanic 15% 46,697,000 29% 132,792,000 Black 13% 39,031,000 13% 56,944,000 Asian 5% 13,599,000 9% 39,399,000 White Source: U.S. Census Bureau – Note: does not equal 100% because other smaller demographic classifications are not reflected on this table Office of Citizenship Naturalization Trends Total Naturalized Citizens Fiscal Years 1997-2008 2008 1,046,539 2002 573,708 2007 660,477 2001 608,205 2006 702,589 2000 888,788 2005 604,280 1999 839,944 2004 537,151 1998 463,060 2003 463,204 1997 598,225 Source: 2007 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigration Statistics. Source: Naturalizations in the United States: 2007. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigration Statistics. Office of Citizenship Naturalization Trends Fiscal Year 2008 Top Countries of Origin (1,046,539 total) Mexico 231,815 El Salvador 35,796 India 65,971 Dominican Republic 35,251 Philippines 58,792 Colombia 22,926 China 40,017 Korea 22,759 Cuba 39,871 Jamaica 21,324 Vietnam 39,584 Haiti 21,229 Source: 2007 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigration Statistics. Source: Naturalizations in the United States: 2007. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigration Statistics. Office of Citizenship Framework for Integration Integration Central to the DHS Mission Integration is a dynamic, two-way process in which newcomers and the receiving society gain tools to participate together and foster cohesive communities. To continue America’s tradition as a welcoming nation. To ensure that newcomers have the tools they need to full and equal participants in America. To foster community cohesion and prevent marginalization. Office of Citizenship Framework for Integration Office of Citizenship (OoC) Strategic Plan OoC will provide federal leadership, tools, and resources to proactively foster immigrant integration. We will engage and support partners to welcome immigrants, promote English language learning and education on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and encourage citizenship. OoC: Provides immigrants with opportunities and tools to become vested citizens. Builds community capacity to prepare immigrants for citizenship. Promotes dialogue and collaboration on integration and raise awareness of its importance to society. Office of Citizenship Framework for Integration Immigration is a Federal competency, but integration happens in communities. The Office of Citizenship uses the immigration system to help immigrants gain tools, develop a sense of membership and belonging in America. The Naturalization Test is a tool of civic education. Applicants must learn English. Applicants must understand basic U.S. history and government. Applicants identify with democratic principles. Office of Citizenship Framework for Integration Selected Major Initiatives of the Office of Citizenship 1. Education and Outreach Initiative 2. Grant and Funding Opportunities 3. Educational/ Multimedia Resources 4. Training and Development Opportunities 5. Naturalization Ceremonies Office of Citizenship Education and Outreach Initiative Naturalization Information Sessions USCIS is leading an education and outreach initiative to raise public awareness about the naturalization process, and provide education on the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. Through this initiative USCIS aims to: Demystify the naturalization process for immigrants by providing accurate information on eligibility and steps to become a U.S. citizen. Build organizational capacity to prepare immigrants for citizenship. Since July 2009 reached out to over 8,700 immigrants nationally. Naturalization Information Session To learn more about the Information Sessions and to view a short DVD on the sessions visit www.uscis.gov/citizenshipsessions. Office of Citizenship Grant and Funding Opportunities Building Capacity Through Increased Resources The Office of Citizenship offers free educational materials for immigrantserving organizations and a competitive grant program that supports citizenship preparation programs for lawful permanent residents (LPRs). The Civics and Citizenship Toolkit contains all of the Office’s educational materials and is available for free at www.citizenshiptoolkit.gov. The Citizenship and Integration Grant Program provides approximately $7 million of federal funding to support citizenship preparation programs. Information is available at www.uscis.gov/grants. Office of Citizenship Educational Resources Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants With this landmark publication, the federal government reaches out to new immigrants with essential orientation materials needed to adjust to life in America. The guide contains: A wide range of practical information to help immigrants settle into everyday life in the United States. Basic history and civics information that introduces new immigrants to U.S. history and the system of government. Tips on how to get involved in the community, and a discussion of the rights and responsibilities of permanent residents. Office of Citizenship Educational Resources Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants The following 14 languages are currently available for download at http://www.uscis.gov/newimmigrants: English Russian Arabic Chinese French Spanish Haitian Creole Tagalog Korean Vietnamese Portuguese Urdu Polish Somali Office of Citizenship Educational Resources WelcometoUSA.gov To centralize federal settlement information, the Office of Citizenship spearheaded the development of WelcometoUSA.gov. The site provides: Newcomers with basic information on settling in the United States. Links to help new immigrants locate English classes and other naturalization preparation materials. Special sections for adult educators, libraries, and volunteers within the receiving community. Office of Citizenship Educational Resources For Those on the Path to U.S. Citizenship The Office of Citizenship seeks to provide those interested in U.S. citizenship with information on eligibility requirements and naturalization preparation materials. Through A Guide to Naturalization, eligible lawful permanent residents (LPR) can learn about the naturalization application process. The publication is available online for download at www.uscis.gov/natzguide. Office of Citizenship Educational Resources Civics Flash Cards The Civics Flash Cards are based on the 100 U.S. history and government (civics) questions from the naturalization test and serve as a helpful way to prepare for the naturalization interview. Teachers and volunteers can use this colorful, easy-to-use product in the classroom as an instruction tool to help immigrants prepare for the naturalization test. The Civics Flash Cards are available online for download at www.uscis.gov/civicsflashcards, or for purchase through the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). Office of Citizenship Educational Resources Vocabulary Flash Cards The Vocabulary Flash Cards are a useful tool to help immigrants study for the English reading and writing portions of the naturalization test. The flash cards can be used in the classroom as an instructional tool for citizenship preparation or as a resource for self-study. Using a dry erase marker, there is space provided on the back of each card where students can practice writing the word in English or in their own language. The Vocabulary Flash Cards are available online for download at www.uscis.gov/newtest, or for purchase through the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). Office of Citizenship Educational Resources Learn About the United States: Quick Civics Lessons These short lessons, based on each of the civics questions on the naturalization test, help immigrants gain a deeper understanding of U.S. history and government as they prepare to become U.S. citizens. To help applicants prepare for the naturalization test, USCIS distributes Learn About the United States for free to all N-400 applicants at the time of fingerprinting at an Application Support Center. The publication also contains study materials for the English reading and writing portions of the test. An audio CD designed to help immigrants prepare for the naturalization interview accompanies the booklet. Office of Citizenship Multimedia Resources Naturalization Self Test The Naturalization Self Test is a study tool available on the USCIS website to help immigrants test their knowledge of U.S. history and government. The actual test is not a multiple choice test. The Naturalization Self Test generates four questions at a time and gives the option to generate new questions as many times as needed. Immigrants also have the opportunity to review their answers after taking each test. The Naturalization Self Test is available at www.uscis.gov/citizenshiptest, under the “Tools” section on the right side of the screen. Office of Citizenship Multimedia Resources Civics and Citizenship Multimedia Presentation An engaging and informative overview of U.S. history and government, the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship, and the naturalization process. The two-disc set contains: A Promise of Freedom: An Introduction to U.S. History and Civics for Immigrants - an inspiring 12-minute film that focuses on the history and founding of our nation and the important rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. The Flash® presentation, Becoming a U.S. Citizen: An Overview of the Naturalization Process helps potential applicants learn more about the steps involved in applying for U.S. citizenship. Office of Citizenship Multimedia Resources The Naturalization Interview and Test A 16-minute DVD presentation providing an overview of the naturalization requirements and what to expect during the naturalization interview and test. This informative DVD shows applicants for naturalization how the naturalization interview and test is conducted and provides helpful tips on what to remember before the interview. The Naturalization Interview and Test is available on the USCIS website or for purchase through the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). Office of Citizenship Training and Development Opportunities For Receiving Communities (Educators and Volunteers) To enhance the quality of civics and citizenship instruction for immigrants, the Office of Citizenship provides civics-based professional development opportunities for adult educators and experienced volunteers. Training opportunities are designed to help refine skills and prepare adult civics and citizenship instructors and volunteers for teaching American history, civics, and the naturalization process to immigrant students. Since October 2007, more than 3,270 volunteers and educators have received this training. Office of Citizenship Training and Development Opportunities For Receiving Communities (Educators and Volunteers) To further our ability to reach educators and volunteers, the Office of Citizenship has expanded online training and technical resources that support the integration of civics and citizenship content into English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction. Free web-based electronic training module for volunteers and adult educators at www.elcivicsonline.org. Free online resource center for instructors that contains links to curricula, lesson plans, and other citizenship preparation materials. Available at www.uscis.gov/civicsonline. Office of Citizenship Training and Development Opportunities Expanding ESL, Civics, and Citizenship Education in Your Community: A Start-Up Guide This guide provides an overview and recommendations to help organizations design and offer ESL and civics/citizenship classes for immigrants. Based on the experience and practices of established ESL, civics, and citizenship programs for immigrants. The guide includes ideas for determining community needs, obtaining resources to sustain programs, recruiting and training volunteers, and enrolling students, and much more. Office of Citizenship Naturalization Ceremonies For New Citizens The Office of Citizenship seeks to provide naturalization candidates with information on the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship at the time of the naturalization ceremony: To help make the process more meaningful, new citizens are presented with a letter from the U.S. president, information on registering to vote and applying for a U.S. passport, as well as helpful materials on the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. Some ceremonies are held at national parks and other historic landmarks across the country. Office of Citizenship Naturalization Ceremonies The Citizen’s Almanac This publication includes biographical details on prominent foreignborn Americans, presidential quotes on citizenship, patriotic songs and poems, and several of our essential founding documents. Contains information and excerpts on important speeches in U.S. history including Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” and Franklin Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms.” Includes a pocket size version of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States. Office of Citizenship Naturalization Ceremonies Outstanding Americans by Choice The Outstanding Americans by Choice initiative recognizes the achievements of naturalized U.S. citizens that have demonstrated their commitment to the United States. Each year the USCIS Director will recognize naturalized citizens who have made significant contributions to both their community and their adopted country through civic participation, professional achievement and responsible citizenship. To learn more and see a list of past recipients visit http://www.uscis.gov/americansbychoice. Office of Citizenship Celebrate Citizenship, Celebrate America For more information, visit http://www.uscis.gov Office of Citizenship
