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The Immigrant Welcome Center in Indianapolis will host a naturalization clinic this weekend to help newcomers complete their application for United States citizenship.
A 2016 survey from the New American Economy on immigrants in Marion County found that among the more than 63,000 people who were not citizens, 20% were potentially eligible for naturalization.
There are often many obstacles that stand in the way.
Many people fear they can’t pass the citizenship test, or think their English isn’t good enough to be able to pass the test, says Executive Director Terri Morris Downs.
Currently, 44 people are registered to attend the clinic Saturday, May 18 at Ben Davis University High School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Other clinics are planned throughout the year at various locations around Indianapolis.
“Research shows that those who naturalize have greater opportunities to succeed as their income increases and other financial means improve,” Morris Downs says. “We believe that immigrants, old and new, are the backbone lifeblood of the American economy. New Americans contribute to our communities, not only economically but socially, culturally and civically.”
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