By: Natalie Greene
Greater Houston is coming together to ensure that eligible immigrants don’t just dream of citizenship—they achieve it. Across the region, a coalition of local and national organizations is joining forces to provide free legal help, language access, and financial assistance to make naturalization a reality for thousands of lawful permanent residents.
One of several key agencies helping to drive the movement is the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA). Their Naturalize Now campaign aims to break down barriers that have kept nearly 300,000 Harris County residents from completing the naturalization process.
“Citizenship opens doors—not just for individuals, but for entire communities,” said Angie Dupree, NPNA citizenship coordinator, at a Houston Community Media briefing. “Every new citizen strengthens our democracy, our economy, and our future.”
NPNA partners with local governments and grassroots organizations to offer application assistance, fee waiver support, and multilingual outreach. For many, these services mean the difference between hesitation and hope.
The City of Houston’s Commitment
The Office of New Americans and Immigrant Communities (ONAIC), created in 2016, is another agency committed to uplifting residents. It provides monthly citizenship forums, free legal consultations, and English and civics classes through the Houston Public Library. Its Citizenship Resource Center is a lifeline for immigrants needing step-by-step guidance on the N-400 application and interview preparation.
Become a Citizen Today: A Resource Hub
Another valuable resource is BecomeACitizenToday.com, a platform dedicated to helping immigrants understand and complete the naturalization process. The site offers:
- ✅ Step-by-step guides for filling out Form N-400
- ✅ Eligibility quizzes to determine if you can apply
- ✅ Checklists for what to bring to application assistance events
- ✅ Information on fee waivers and financial help
- ✅ Civics test practice tools
These resources ensure that lawful permanent residents are informed, prepared, and confident every step of the way.
Why This Matters
Houston is home to more than 1.1 million foreign-born residents, making it one of the most diverse cities in the nation. Yet thousands remain sidelined by fear, misinformation, and cost barriers. Collaborative efforts by NPNA, ONAIC, and community partners like BakerRipley and NALEO Educational Fund are turning the tide.
For María, a longtime Houston resident from Honduras who wishes to remain anonymous, these resources are a game changer.
“I always worried about doing something wrong or being taken advantage of,” she said. After attending a citizenship forum, she feels ready to apply: “They explained everything in Spanish, and I didn’t feel alone. I think this is my year to become a citizen.”
Checklist: What to Bring to a Citizenship Event
- ✅ Green Card (Permanent Resident Card)
- ✅ State-issued ID (driver’s license or state ID)
- ✅ Social Security Number
- ✅ All current and expired passports
- ✅ Dates of all trips outside the U.S. (last 5 years)
- ✅ Addresses and employment history (last 5 years)
- ✅ Marriage and children information
- ✅ Proof of income/public benefits (if applying for a fee waiver)
- ✅ Any immigration-related documents
How to Connect
- Office of New Americans: houstontx.gov/na | 832-393-1010
- NPNA Naturalize Now Campaign: partnershipfornewamericans.org
- Become a Citizen Today: becomeacitizentoday.com
- USA Hello: https://usahello.org/citizenship/prepare/
The message is clear: naturalization isn’t just an individual goal—it’s a community mission. And in Greater Houston, that mission is in full force.
