BOSTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director León Rodríguez and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh signed a letter of agreement (PDF, 285 KB) today to expand a partnership to strengthen citizenship education and awareness efforts. The agreement will remain in effect for three years.
“USCIS is proud to partner with Mayor Walsh to provide immigrants with greater access to information and resources as they pursue the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship here in ‘The Cradle of Liberty’,” said Rodríguez. “We look forward to working with the Mayor’s Office of New Bostonians and other city services in providing tools to help immigrants contribute to a thriving, welcoming and innovative Boston.”
For example, Boston Public Library branches will establish “Citizenship Corners” to make USCIS citizenship preparation materials more accessible to people throughout the city. USCIS also plans to provide training to librarians and city officials about the naturalization process and the free preparation resources available to immigrants who come to local public libraries in search of information.
“There could be no better time for this kind of effort,” said Mayor Walsh. “Like so many places in our country, Boston is becoming more diverse, and this agreement will further the work being done by USCIS and our Office of New Bostonians, which is vitally important to our future.”
Under the agreement signed at City Hall, USCIS and the city of Boston also plan to:
- Provide citizenship information through schools, community centers and other city facilities.
- Expand community partnerships to hold naturalization information sessions throughout Boston.
- Broadcast citizenship education videos and public service announcements highlighting the letter of agreement on the city’s public access television station, Boston City TV, and city websites.
- Raise awareness of how to avoid immigration scams.
Boston is USCIS’ sixth municipal partner, joining Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta and New York City.
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