CENTRAL FALLS, RI – In an effort to assist immigrants on their path to citizenship, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo today announced that Progreso Latino is receiving a $293,888 federal grant from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Office of Citizenship.

The federal funds will expand the reach of Progreso Latino’s citizenship preparation services available to lawful permanent residents and those with a pathway to lawful permanent residency.

Based in Central Falls, Progreso Latino is a non-profit, social services organization that is federally accredited to provide immigration assistance.  Their mission is to empower Rhode Island’s Latino and immigrant communities to achieve greater self-sufficiency and socio-economic progress by providing transformational programs that support personal growth and social change. 

“I commend Progreso Latino for its outstanding efforts to help people on their path to becoming American citizens. This federal funding will enhance Progreso Latino’s citizenship-preparation classes and services.  It will help integrate newcomers into the fabric of our community and our country and equip them to embrace the rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship,” said Senator Reed.

“Progreso Latino does remarkable work to support immigrants on their paths toward American citizenship,” said Whitehouse.  “This federal funding will help Progreso Latino expand its life-changing citizenship preparation services, and take important steps to build a more diverse and inclusive community.”

“As a nation, we need to put partisanship aside and work together to fix our broken immigration system, and one way to do this is by investing in legal pathways to citizenship,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner. “Lawful permanent residents pay their taxes and contribute to their communities, and I applaud Progreso Latino for using this federal funding to provide civics education and programs that will make it easier for lawful permanent residents to earn the opportunity to become American citizens.”

“I still have strong memories of helping my mom study for her citizenship test when I was growing up that inspired my career in public service,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “I’m glad this federal funding will support Progreso Latino’s work to help other permanent residents carry out their dreams of becoming American citizens.”

“We are deeply honored to have been selected from among hundreds of notable applicants nationwide to support Rhode Islanders on their journey to becoming United States citizens. Immigrants are, and always have been, integral to the fabric of this nation. Their dedication and perseverance reflect the democratic values and solidarity that make our country so exceptional,” said Mario Bueno, Executive Director of Progreso Latino, Inc.  “Citizenship not only empowers individuals to fully participate in civic life, including voting, but also unlocks critical opportunities in employment and education, creating ripple effects of positive change throughout our community. This USCIS grant will enable our Rhode Island Citizenship Consortium—which includes the Diocese of Providence, Dorcas International, Genesis Center, the Rhode Island Family Literacy Initiative, and Progreso Latino—to expand access to legal services and citizenship instruction across the state’s urban core. Many individuals face language and literacy challenges in navigating the citizenship process and preparing for the test, and this funding ensures we can continue to address these barriers. We owe our success to the unwavering dedication of our citizenship instructors and immigration case workers, who truly care about making a difference in the lives of their students.”

The goal of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program is to expand access to high-quality citizenship preparation services for immigrants across the nation, equipping them with the knowledge and skills essential for seamless integration into American society.  This includes promoting civic integration through increased knowledge of English, U.S. history, and civics.

Progreso Latino is one of 43 organizations nationwide to receive a competitive Citizenship and Integration Grants from USCIS this fiscal year.  USCIS awarded $12.6 million in grants nationwide.

There are approximately 9.2 million legal permanent residents nationwide who meet the eligibility requirement to apply for U.S. citizenship.