In Greater Houston, more than 360,000 people who have lived here for years—often decades—working, raising families, and contributing to their communities, still remain short of full civic belonging. There is hope out there to change that.
In Greater Houston, more than 360,000 people who have lived here for years—often decades—working, raising families, and contributing to their communities, still remain short of full civic belonging. There is hope out there to change that.
At a May 8 briefing hosted by Houston Community Media, community leaders launched a renewed effort to help lawful permanent residents navigate the often complex, costly, and emotionally daunting journey toward U.S. citizenship.
“There were roughly about 360,000 adults that were eligible to naturalize in the Greater Houston area,” said KaNeesha Allen, Community Collaboration Lead at Dalberg Design. “Eighty percent of those eligible have lived in the U.S. for about 10 years… 40 percent for about 20 years.”
Available resources include free legal aid, citizenship support circles and community navigators to help people achieve, what some say, is their ultimate dream.
“We have heard specifically from community members… what have been some of their greatest challenges, their perspectives and ideas about navigating the naturalization process.”
The top challenges? According to speakers: legal complexity, language access, misinformation, and cost.
Austra Zapata, Naturalization Program Manager for Harris County, described the process as long and emotionally taxing—but achievable with support.
“Citizenship is the trophy at the end of a very long and complicated journey,” she said. “We have built a wraparound program that truly serves the residents of Harris County at no cost to them.”
That program has screened over 2,000 people and provided 1,400 full legal representations—just in the first quarter of 2025.
Alice Min, Operations Associate at WooriJuntos, said her organization focuses on helping older immigrants feel prepared, supported, and safe.
“Some are non-literate in any language. So we ensure that our classes are culturally responsive and delivered in a way that makes them feel safe and supported.”
She shared that her own mother became a citizen through the program: “Now she is very independent and very thrilled to engage with civic engagement, voting, and to share her voice as a U.S. citizen.”
Angie Dupree, of the National Partnership for New Americans, highlighted a critical piece of overlooked information:
“If you’ve been a resident… and you’re of a certain age, you can be exempt from the English portion of the exam,” she explained, adding that community navigators—trained peers—are essential. “They speak the language and they look like our community… majority of our community navigators have gone through the citizenship process themselves.”
But support goes beyond logistics—it also involves legal protection.
“During the current administration, we are extra careful in helping people apply for citizenship,” said Zenobia Lai, Executive Director of the Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative. “Right now, denial possible is… could push you into deportation procedure.”
She also addressed cost as a major barrier:
“The application fee is $760. I don’t have $760 sitting around to apply for something. So this is a big issue,” Lai said.
She noted a financial aid program, Give Citizenship a Boost, which helps with needed fees.
Dedre Smith, Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County, said her team sees firsthand how fear and lack of information hold people back.
“It brings me joy when they come in and say, ‘I passed the exam,’ and they were nervous and afraid during the mock trials,” Smith said, adding, “I believe in the philosophy of never turning anyone away… wraparound services… give them a lifeline to accomplish personal or professional goals.”
And according to Jannette Diep of Boat People SOS Houston, access to reliable, no-cost support is life-changing.
“Didn’t even know that I could actually get assistance for free instead of digging into my pocket or going to borrow money from families and friends,” Diep said.
The message echoed throughout the event: now is the time. Resources exist. The barriers, while real, are no longer insurmountable.
As community leader Michael Treviño said in closing: “This is not the time to be a bystander. Be an upstander.”
Citizenship support workshops, legal screenings, ESL classes, and financial aid are available throughout Houston. Visit NaturalizeNowHouston.org for more information or to refer someone eligible.
