Information for Asylum Seekers and Refugees: Additional Resources
Refugees naturalize at a higher rate than other, non-refugee immigrants, yet they often face serious challenges in the naturalization process due to advanced age, disabilities, low income, limited English proficiency, and low levels of literacy. Refugees also face challenges to civic participation such as language and cultural barriers, unfamiliarity with U.S. civic institutions, and reluctance to get involved in community affairs due to negative experiences in their native countries.
CLINIC has compiled the following additional resources--including reports, guides and statistics-- to help refugees and asylum seekers naturalize. Attached are:
- An overview of immigrant eligibility for public benefits from the National Immigration Law Center;
- A brief from the Urban Institute regarding trends in naturalization;
- A report from the Department of Homeland Security on naturalization; and
- A USCIS memo offering policy guidance for security checks.
In addition, the following resources are available online:
- A report from the Pew Hispanic Center, titled "Growing Share of Immigrants Choosing Naturalization";
- A report from Public Agenda, titled "Now That I'm Here: What America's Immigrants Have to Say About Life in America Today"; and
- A guide from USCIS, titled "Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants".
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 NILC Overview of Immigrant Eligibility for Public Benefits | 185.42 KB |
| Urban Institute Brief on Trends in Naturalization | 342.88 KB |
| Department of Homeland Security Report on Naturalization | 250.51 KB |
| USCIS Policy Guidance for Security Checks | 111.75 KB |