As immigration enforcement increases across the country, many lawful permanent residents in the Houston area are reevaluating their legal status and seeking the security of U.S. citizenship. While national headlines spotlight undocumented immigrants, those who have held green cards for years are also expressing concern—and urgency.
As immigration enforcement increases across the country, many lawful permanent residents in the Houston area are reevaluating their legal status and seeking the security of U.S. citizenship. While national headlines spotlight undocumented immigrants, those who have held green cards for years are also expressing concern—and urgency.
RELATED: Citizenship Delayed: Houston’s push to help 360,000 residents takes the final step
Harris County is home to more than 300,000 individuals who are eligible to apply for naturalization, according to local officials and advocacy groups. These residents have lived and worked in the U.S., paid taxes, and contributed to their communities. But without citizenship, they remain vulnerable—unable to vote, unable to serve on a jury, and still at risk of removal under certain legal circumstances.
RELATED: Making Houston ‘Citizenship Capital of the USA’: A journey of unity and prosperity
“If you want your voice to be heard, right now is the time to ensure that the next time there is an election you are being fairly represented,” said Melissa C. Allala, a longtime community advocate and current president of Kauri’s Lucky Star Foundation.
Allala has spent more than a decade helping residents navigate the N-400 naturalization application. She emphasized that many immigrants have already invested in the system and deserve to benefit from the rights and protections of citizenship.
“There are a lot of available resources for those who are seeking citizenship,” Allala said.
In Houston, several organizations offer legal screenings, application assistance, and civics test preparation. Among the most active are:
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Here are more resources to aid you on your path to citizenship:
https://becomeacitizentoday.com
https://houston.naturalizenow.org/resources
https://usahello.org/citizenship/prepare/
While the cost of applying—currently $725—can be a barrier, fee waivers are available to those who qualify based on income. Many of the organizations listed above assist with waiver applications as well.
The process includes meeting eligibility requirements such as lawful permanent residence for a certain number of years, demonstrating good moral character, passing a civics and English exam, and completing the necessary background checks. The most important step, Allala advises, is preparation.
“Gather your documents early,” she said. “That includes your passport and travel history, marriage records if applicable, your work history, and information about your immediate family.”
In a shifting immigration climate, legal experts and advocates alike are encouraging eligible residents to act while the door to naturalization remains open.
Advocates say this isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about building a future where you and your family are protected, empowered, and counted.
MORE RELATED ARTICLES:
Supreme Court weighs Trump’s birthright citizenship ban: What’s at stake for Texas families
“We’re the testing ground”: Advocates warn of alarming voter suppression push in Texas legislature
Houston residents on high “ICE alert” as Trump’s immigration crackdown intensifies
Social media reacts as Project 2025 sparks fears of denaturalization among immigrant communities
