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About the Path to Citizenship

Matthew and Hannah Keator Family Scholarship for New Americans

On February 1, 2019, LitNet launched the Matthew and Hannah Keator Family Scholarship for New Americans, Berkshire County’s first scholarship program to support immigrants in their pursuit of U.S. citizenship.  Click here to read the full press release.

Applicants will be able to seek financial support in obtaining legal services during the screening and application process, as well as support to offset the cost of the federal naturalization application.  Scholarship recipients will also be assigned a trained tutor from LitNet, who will work one-on-one with the applicant to prepare for the naturalization civics and literacy exams.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION.


Before You Begin

Naturalization is a very important and complex process. We strongly recommend that any potential applicant seek the advice of an immigration attorney or an accredited legal representative before beginning the process.

  • The Berkshire Immigrant Center (BIC) is accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals to provide legal representation and to make direct inquiries to USCIS on behalf of clients.
  • BIC maintains an attorney referral list for easy reference.

How It Works

Applicants who are eligible to be considered to become citizens (as determined by our partners at the Berkshire Immigrant) complete an application which is then reviewed by the LiNet Citizenship committee. If accepted, a citizenship candidate is paired with a trained tutor who supports them in preparing for the official exam and interview that will occur once candidates demonstrate they are well prepared, and their N-400 has been submitted. Once the candidate is informed of their exam and interview date, the tutor will offer refresher sessions to ensure each candidate is well prepared and ready to succeed.

The foundation of scholarship program designed to cover the costs of the naturalization application which is currently $760 as well as the fees for advice and service from the Berkshire Immigrant Center. LitNet’s goal is to increase access and decrease barriers to citizenship for individuals in Berkshire County who meet the specific requirements.


Study Resources

The U.S. citizenship exam is composed of two parts– an English test and a civics test.  The English portion covers speaking, reading and writing, and the civics portion includes questions about American history and government.

The government’s office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the primary authority on all things relating to the naturalization process.  Their website at www.uscis.gov, has extensive resources for both citizenship applicants and for educators who may be helping students to study for the exam.

LitNet has collected a variety of quality online resources for you to explore.  Check out the links below!

REMEMBER:  LitNet has citizenship books and flashcards in our book collections at the Lee Library. Stop in any time to pick them up!

For Learners

WebsiteDescription
CitizenshipStudyGuide.com

This interactive online site provides: Quizzes of all the 100 citizenship questions, flashcards to study all the answers with, writing exercises with all the USCIS vocabulary, civic lessons, maps, games, and more.

Citizenshipworks.org

Citizenshipworks.org has a great study app. Please note, that we strongly recommend working in-person with a legal representative for support on the naturalization application.

Civics Study Materials from USCIS

View the complete collection of USCIS materials, videos, booklets, and practice tests to help you study for the civics portion of the exam. Please note: The answers to several of the questions have changed with the beginning of the 116th Congress, which began in January 2019. Please visit this page for updates.

English Test Study Materials from USCIS

View the complete collection of study materials for the English portion of the exam, provided by USCIS.

Interactive Online Civics Practice Test

Created by USCIS, the civics practice test is a study tool to help you test your knowledge of U.S. history and government. You have the option to review the questions in English only or in English with Spanish subtitles. The actual test is in English. USCIS has provided Spanish subtitles for those who may find it easier to learn in their native language. Use this online tool to prepare for the civics portion of the naturalization test.

Preparing for the Oath

“Preparing for the Oath” is a video-based study guide and test-preparation tool created by the National Museum of American History and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

USALearns-Citizenship Course

This is a comprehensive online learning program from USA-Learns. Create a user account and start studying! The course has four units: Steps to becoming a U.S. Citizen, N-400 Interview Practice, Civics, Reading and Writing Practice, Your Interview and New Citizenship.

Video: A Promise of Freedom: An Introduction to U.S. History and Civics for Immigrants

Produced by USCIS, this 12-minute film focuses on the history and founding of our nation and the important rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. A Promise of Freedom is an excellent way to begin a session on immigration or citizenship. The film is available with English captions.

Video: The USCIS Naturalization Interview and Test

Created by USCIS, the USCIS Naturalization Interview and Test is a 16-minute video that provides an overview of the naturalization process and testing requirements. This video highlights scenes from the naturalization interview, including the English and U.S. history and government (civics) portions of the naturalization test. These simulated situations provide a closer look into the overall process.

Videos: American History

A collection of short YouTube videos on American history. This YouTube channel is sponsored by the James Madison Fellowship Foundation of Alexandria, Virginia, www.jamesmadison.gov.

World Digital Library – U.S. Constitution

View a high resolution copy of the U.S. Constitution. Click here to read a transcription of the text from the National Archives.

World Digital Library – U.S. Declaration of Independence

View a high-resolution copy of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Click here to read a transcription of the text from the National Archives.

For Tutors

WebsiteDescription
Civics Study Materials from USCIS

View the complete collection of USCIS materials, videos, booklets, and practice tests to help you study for the civics portion of the exam. Please note: The answers to several of the questions have changed with the beginning of the 116th Congress, which began in January 2019. Please visit this page for updates.

ElCivics.com

Easy-to-use civics lessons on a wide range of topics from civics and government to holidays and U.S. states. Also includes some general ESOL lessons.

English Test Study Materials from USCIS

View the complete collection of study materials for the English portion of the exam, provided by USCIS.

Famous Americans on the Civics Test

Provided by USCIS, download the portraits and study flash-cards of the 12 famous Americans who appear on the civics test.

iCivics.org

Create an account to access free lesson plans and games for studying civics.

Minnesota Literacy Council Citizenship Curricula

The Minnesota Literacy Council offers two levels of free citizenship curricula– one for high-beginner/low-intermediate students and the other for high-intermediate/advanced students.

USCIS Lesson Plans and Activities

USCIS offers lesson plans with instructions and teaching strategies for novice and seasoned ESL instructors preparing students for U.S. citizenship. Lessons include content on American Government, American History, and Integrated Civics covered in the Civics Test as well as language needed for the reading and writing portions of the English Test. Handouts with interactive games and student-centered activities encompass all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.