1) Citizenship & Naturalization

The USCIS offers plenty of information about Citizenship and Naturalization.

Online Resources

• Guide to Naturalization (USCIS)
• Citizenship Guide (South Asian Americans Leading Together - SAALT)
• Do I qualify for Citizenship/Naturalization Quiz (USCitizenship.info)
• Citizenship for Us: A Handbook on Naturalization & Citizenship (Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. - CLINIC)
• Just the Facts: The Immigration and Citizenship Procss (Public Policy Institute of Califonia)
• Filing for Citizenship (International Refugee Committee)
• General Naturalization Requirements (USCIS)
• U.S.A. Learns (U.S. Department of Education - a free Web site to help immigrants learn English)
• Speeding up the Process by Serving (Dallas Morning News)

Books

• Citizenship Made Simple (342.73083 K49C 2006)
• U.S. citizenship: a step-by-step guide. (323.62309 U11 2007)
• A Guide to Naturalization (323.623 U58G 2000)
• Immigration Made Simple (342.73082 K49I 2006)
• How to Prepare for the U.S. Citizenship Test (323.623 H847)
• Becoming a U.S. Citizen: a Guide to the Law, Exam & Interview (342.73083 B827B 2006)
• Becoming a U.S. Citizen: Understanding the Naturalization Process (342.73083 B398 2006)
• Know Your Rights!: Answers to Texans' Everyday Legal Questions. (349.764 A361K 2006)

2) Citizenship Classes

A few of our branches offer FREE citizenship classes. Take a look at our map to find the location nearest you. Or visit our Community Information Database with a keyword search of "citizenship classes" for a list of other organizations offering classes in the Dallas area.

• Dallas West Branch Library
  2332 Singleton Boulevard 75212
  214-670-6445
  Saturdays, 2 - 4:30 p.m.
  Free preparatory class to assist with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service examinations. Registration required. Call the library and leave your name to be registered.
  Also offers ESL classes.



• North Oak Cliff Branch Library
  302 West Tenth Street 75208
  214-670-7555
  Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  Free preparatory class to assist with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service examinations. Registration required. Register for Citizenship classes with Mr. Arellano, at the library on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  Also offers ESL classes and Pl@za Communitaria.



• Pleasant Grove Branch Library
  1125 South Buckner Boulevard 75217
  214-670-0965
  Saturdays, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
  Free classes for adults who want to learn English and citizenship classes. Registration required for each class.
  Also offers ESL classes and Pl@za Communitaria.



• Hampton Illinois Branch Library
  2951 South Hampton Road 75224
  214-670-7646
  Registration required for each class, call D.I.S.D. ABE Dept., 972-749-2525 for more information.



• Debes Creer En Ti (DCET) (Believe In Yourself)
  DCET's Learning Center "La Escuelita"
  500 North O'Connor Rd. Suite B in Irving, Texas
  972-871-8285 | dcenti1@sbcglobal.net
  Tuesdays 6pm-9pm
  Free on-going weekly class using Reading Companion Citizenship e-books. Class is an ESOL/Civics class focused into citizenship preparation with activities and interaction between students/teacher. Animated US Government naturalization process videos and on-line practice of question/answer preparation is offered.

3) Contacting USCIS

Online Resources

You can make an appointment for general information, services, and non-electronic forms at InfoPass or call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283.

Please note:
There only needs to be one appointment per family
Appointments made online will require that you print your confirmation page and bring it with you
You should bring a goverment issued id card and supporting documents

Visit a field office

You may choose to visit a local field office to speak with an Immigration Information Officer, however, you must have a scheduled appointment with USCIS or an InfoPass appointment.

Dallas Field Office
8101 North Stemmons Freeway (Interstate 35)
Dallas, TX 75247
Hours, Directions, and more

To find the offices in locations other than Dallas use the USCIS locator.

Visit a Application Support Center

A few immigrant applications will require a fingerprint and/or background check to be completed at an Application Support Center. Once again to visit, you must make an appointment.

USCIS Application Support Center
3701 West Northwest Highway Suite 211
Village at Bachman Lake
Dallas, TX 75220
Hours, Directions, and more
Other locations

4) Exam Preparation

The following sites provide information and study guides about the citizenship and naturalization tests:

• Redesigned Naturalization Test (USCIS)
• Naturalization Self Test (USCIS)
• Civics and Citizenship Study Materials (USCIS)
• Sample U.S. History and Government Questions with Answers (PDF, 170K)
• Study for the US Citizenship Test (Spanish)
• Ben's Guide to U.S. Government
  Benjamin Franklin's guide for children and teens about the U.S. government and how it works. The "Grades 9-12" section reviews the process of becoming a citizen, branches of government, how laws are made, elections, etc.
• Search the library catalog for test guides or check out some of these publications.

5) Forms

The most up to date information will be available online at the USCIS. You can print the forms you find online and pick them up at the reference desk for .15 cents a page. You may file electronically, but please remember that the process may take over an hour to complete and if you are using a library workstation, it is likely your session will end before you finish filling out an application.

• Immigration Forms and Fees
• Forms by mail
• Electronic Filing for Immigration Benefits
• Photographs and Fingerprints (some applications require this)
• Photo Standards for the USCIS

6) Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I get a green card?
  Visit the USCIS for information about getting, replacing, or renewing a green card.


• When is the Diversity Visa Lottery and what are the requirements to apply?
  The U.S. Department of State has a Diversity Immigrant Visa Program that randomly selects 50,000 individuals annually (who meet strict eligibility requirements) from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States for permanent resident visas.


• How do I check the status of my case?
  If you have the application receipt number you can check the status of your case online. If your case is still pending browse the other services offered.


• How do I get a travel visa?
  The U.S. Department of State has information about international travel for U.S. citizens and visas for foreign citizens. For information about entry/exit requirements for other countries check the Consular Information Sheets.


• Do you have books about immigration and citizenship that I can check out?
  Yes we do. You can browse the catalog for citizenship or immigration. Or you can look at one of our reccommended titles.

7) Organizations and More

• International Refugee Committe
  The Dallas office resettles approximately 500 refugees and asylees per year and works to integrate new arrivals into the Dallas population. During its 27 years Dallas IRC staff and volunteers have assisted refugees with obtaining housing, English language training, health care and employment. Working together with volunteers and partner agencies we achieve our overall goal of refugee and asylee self-sufficiency within 4-6 months of arrival.
  
  
• Catholic Charities of Dallas
  This organization offers Refugee and Empowerment Services which includes cultural orientation, ESL and citizenship classes, and more.
  
  
• Opening Doors Immigration Services
  Assists immigrants to navigate the government's immigration system. Based in Denton's Trinity Presbyterian Church. Helps green card holders become naturalized.
  
  
• Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, Inc.
  Human Rights Initiative (HRI), incorporated in the state of Texas in December 1999, is dedicated to the promotion of international human rights and service to immigrants and refugees who have suffered human rights abuses. Created by a group of dedicated legal and human services professionals and volunteers, it came into existence out of the concern for those individuals who seek safe haven in the United States after suffering persecution.
  
  
• DFW International
  A coalition of over 1300 civic, educational, and religious organizations that promotes and coordinates North Texas ethnic and immigrant groups. Provides a webpage listing contact information for ethnic performing artists and an index of metroplex ethnic organizations. An on-line Cultural Calendar is also provided, along with a weekly email of cultural events. The website also provides links to a database of demographic information of North Texas immigrant communities. The group serves as a liason between ethnic communities and the press, educational institutions, and other groups, and is a part of the Immigrant Resource Network. Sponsors the Dallas International Festival, a free yearly cultural celebration.
  
  
• The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC)
  A non profit organization that provides a range of legal and non-legal support services to 173 member agencies comprised mainly of Catholic diocesan immigration programs. Their member agencies serve low-income immigrants seeking family reunification, citizenship, and protection from persecution and violence.

Questions? Call us at 214-670-1468. We are located on the 6th floor of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in downtown Dallas.