Citizenship and naturalization 2008-2009 service analysis

Purpose of Citizenship and Naturalization:

CITIZENSHIP AND
NATURALIZATION

This service focused on helping refugees become self-sufficient and meet all their immigration obligations to ensure continued residence in the United States (US). This service may be provided to individuals who have been in the US for 5 years or more.

2008-2009 SERVICE ANALYSIS

In the 2009 contract year,

$329,400.00 was allocated for

Citizenship and Naturalization,

which constituted 11% of total

Social Services and Targeted

Assistance

Grant

Funds

($2,982,324.00).

After determining the total number of recipients for this service, 100% compliance with all the contracted service provisions was achieved.

Funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)

100% of eligible Citizenship/ Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) applications were mailed to U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

There were 1,373 recipients

for

Citizenship

and

Naturalization Services.

Georgia Department of Human Services
Division of Family & Children Services

Direct one-on-one counseling was provided to the refugees seeking citizenship. Study guides, CDs and flash cards for the new test were given to the refugees to provide them with an overview of what to expect at the interview. Clients were also referred to the library for citizenship tapes and other materials.

Refugee Programs Unit

Table (1) Service delivery for Citizenship and Naturalization

Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
Naturalization Application
Civic Classes

1038 235 206

In the 2009 contract year, contractors assisted 1,138 LPR refugee applicants to ensure they met their immigration obligations. Contractors assisted 235 refugee applicants to ensure Citizenship status. 206 refugees participated in Civic Classes to help them gain a deeper understanding of US history and be prepared for the Naturalization test and interviews.

Graph (1) Service delivery for Citizenship and Naturalization

1200 1000
800 600 400 200
0 Lawful Permanent (LPR)

Nat uraliz at ion Application

Civic Classes

International Rescue committee and World Relief contracted for Naturalization/Citizenship Application Preparation and Instructions while DeKalb Technical College contracted to provide Civic Classes.

Table (2) Citizenship and Naturalization services delivered by contractors

Elements
Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Naturalization Application Civic Classes

Internation al Rescue Committee 574
123

World Relief 564
112

DeKalb Technical College --
--
206

Graph (2) Citizenship and Naturalization services delivered by contractors

700

600

500

Lawful Perm anent

400

Res ident

Naturalization/Citizens hip

Application

300

Civic Clas ses

200

100

0

IR

WR

DTC

Cost Analysis:
Table (3) Total spent funds on Service Elements of Citizenship and Naturalization

Services Element Lawful Permanent Resident Naturalization/Citizenship Application
Civic Classes

$ Spent
$222,800.00
$46,600.00 $41,200.00

Cost per individual for this service was $223.
Chart (1) percentages spent on Citizenship and Naturalization elements

13% 15%

Law ful Permanent Resident

Naturalization/Citizenship A pplic ation

72%

Civic Classes

Recommendation:
With diminishing federal resources, services need to be prioritized in order to meet the need for new arrivals. All the recipients of Civic Classes and Citizenship and Naturalization Application elements have been in the country more than five years. They can be mainstreamed more easily and utilize free in their neighborhood or near their work places by calling United Way at 211. Therefore, it is strongly recommended these services be reduced or eliminated.
Sources
Georgia Department of Human Services, Refugee Resettlement Program Unit
Monthly Reports by the contractors
Performance/Outcomes

2008 -2009 Citizenship and Naturalization

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