Government
BY MELISSA ENAJE
Harris County expands citizenship programs Harris County commissioners announced Jan. 23 the launch of a three-year, $5.8 million program that aims to assist the county’s legal permanent residents in becoming naturalized U.S. citizens. Funding was allocated with a $4 million grant from the nonprofit Houston Endowment and an additional $1.8 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The details Under a coordinated effort overseen by the Harris County Community Services Department, a network of public partners and the Harris County Public Library, the organizations will provide assistance such as civic education classes, natural- ization interview preparation, legal services and funds to cover application fees. HCPL will supplement its volunteer tutor team with 10 full-time instructors, library officials said.
Art projects coming to high-crime areas Officials with Harris County’s crime pre- vention and neighborhood safety program are launching a $3 million public art-based initiative in 11 communities that aims to shape the physical space, spur economic development and promote social change. Explained The 11 neighborhoods include Alief, Bar- rett, Cloverleaf, Cypress Station, East Aldine, Gulfton, Highlands, Northshore, Sharpstown, South Houston and Sunnyside. They were prioritized based on violent crime rates and lack of infrastructure, according to county administration officials. Precinct officials can request proposals for projects such as murals, sculptures, artistic crosswalks and park installations through the third quarter of 2024.
In the Gulf Coast region, 94.9% of the population that hold lawful permanent residency and are eligible to become U.S. citizens reside in three counties. The path to citizenship
Harris County 195,530 Fort Bend County 33,400 Montgomery County 10,580 Brazoria County 7,500 Galveston County 5,500
U.S. citizenship eligibility by county*
*DOES NOT INCLUDE PEOPLE BORN IN THE U.S.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in the region:
More than 123,600 of those eligible for citizenship came from a pool of people who were immediate relatives of U.S. citizens More than 29,800 lawful permanent residents spend at least 10 years until they meet the requirements for citizenship eligibility
SOURCE: 2022 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DATA FROM HARRIS, FORT BEND, MONTGOMERY, GALVESTON AND BRAZORIA COUNTIES/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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