Houston is a city of opportunity — a place where people from around the world come to build new lives and pursue the American dream. But for many of Houston’s immigrants, becoming a U.S. citizen is just out of reach for a number of reasons.
In community centers, churches, and local libraries, volunteers are helping permanent residents take the final steps toward realizing their citizenship goals. They have to maneuver through forms, fees, and the stress of the journey.
Today, Houston is at a pivotal moment in its naturalization efforts. With an estimated 300,000 eligible residents who have yet to apply for citizenship, the city is both a national leader in immigrant inclusion and a reminder of how much work still remains. The local initiatives — from free legal clinics to application drives — are helping, but challenges like high application cost, language barriers, and misinformation are still huge issues to overcome.
Houston’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths — nearly one in four residents was born outside the United States, representing more than 150 countries and speaking over 140 languages.
In recent years, local organizations such as Boat People SOS Houston, BakerRipley, and Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative, alongside the City of Houston’s Office of New Americans and Immigrant Communities, have stepped up their efforts to bridge that gap. Through naturalization workshops, legal clinics, and partnerships with faith-based and community groups, they’ve helped thousands begin — and complete — the path to citizenship.
The vision for Houston’s naturalization movement reaches far beyond application numbers — the goal is not only to help residents complete the naturalization process, but to ensure they have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to engage as voters, leaders, and contributors to Houston’s future.
That means continuing to expand access to free legal support, translation services, and outreach in the communities where people live and work. It also means building trust — addressing fears and misinformation that too often discourage eligible residents from applying. By strengthening partnerships between local government, nonprofits, schools, and businesses, Houston can become a national model for how a city embraces its immigrant communities, turning inclusion into action.
Houston Community Media recently held a forum to discuss these important issues. The panelists shared their current situations and their work toward improving the future. Below are highlights from each panelist.
Angie Dupree – Citizenship Manager, National Partnership for New Americans – The goal is for Houston to be citizenship capital of nation.. five of the last six quarters, we had highest application numbers submitted.
Daniela Melendez and her Mom (Norma) and Dad (Manuel) – [My family] first arrived with Temporary Protective Status (TPS) after 2000 earthquake. Norma and Manuel’s other daughter became a citizen and in 2016 Manuel applied for legal permanent residence (green card).
The reason for Daniela’s parents to go ahead and become citizens was in part due to the 2024 elections and the need to know they are safe.
KaNeesha Allen, Dalbert Design – we look at the immigration rates and work to get Houston to highest naturalization rates in the country. Some of the things that help this include the Citizenship Support Circle – people ready to start naturalization process (a resource to help them); the Community Navigator assisting people further along in the application process who may have already applied, but may have questions and primarily targeting harder to reach communities, and then there are communication campaigns that work with media to tell the story.
Jannette Diep, Boat People SOS Houston – we found the navigator piece is so important… we found out why people were hesitant to apply… had issues or worries with the new policies coming out. They were able to have questions answered and get support. Proved important to community members… concerned and had questions, like legal questions and needed help to get answers.
Salemu Alimasi, CO-AFRO Community Center – Bring people together to learn and keep culture balanced – know where we came from, but integrate here. Protect, promote and preserve our culture.. work to build trust in the community.
Ashley Borjon, Literacy Council of Fort Bend County – serve adults 18+ pursuing literacy – build confidence, self esteem in personal and professional capacities. Older people, who wondered if they could even remember things
Zenobia Lai, Executive Director, Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative – 1.4M people with TPS and this administration is stripping thousands of people of this status everyday. If eligible to apply for citizenship, do so… being a citizen is the ultimate protection and you become the voice for those who are not … now is the time. There are many programs available to help… lots of community navigators.. we help people receive grants to pay for application fees or get a fee waiver ($760)… you don’t have to spend or you can apply for a reduced app fee ($380).
Houston’s push for naturalization is ongoing — and whether it’s volunteering at a citizenship workshop or encouraging a friend or neighbor to apply, small actions can make a big difference. Every new citizen strengthens Houston, helping shape the city’s future for generations to come.
– Kim Floyd
