Voices: You can be part of the immigration solution

“Do you have citizenship classes here?” the young woman in the minivan asked. “I heard you do.”

It was early May during my church’s monthly food distribution ministry. The minivan looked like dozens of others that had come through the line I host there. The woman’s small children were riding in car seats in the back.

“As a matter of fact, we do,” I replied, “and I’m the teacher.”

But then I told her I was planning to restart the classes this fall, after the COVID pandemic interrupted us in 2020 and we never got back to it. I said we would have more information later in the summer and I would love for her to come.

“No,” she said. “I need the classes now. Can you help me now?”

As we talked, I learned she is from Venezuela, married, and with three children. Everything is in order. She has her permanent residence permit, known as a Green Card, meaning she is eligible for naturalization. Still, there was a strong sense of urgency to receive her citizenship.

When I told the church administrator about starting tutoring sessions for the young mother, she replied that we have a waiting list of people who have been calling the church recently inquiring about the citizenship classes. I had no idea.

The uptick in the citizenship business should come as no surprise, given a June 27 report in The Dallas Morning Newsciting the U.S. Census Bureau’s recent report that “immigration is driving U.S. population growth.” The News said “a historic rise in immigration, particularly among Hispanics and Asians has counteracted” population declines among other groups, especially whites. The report said Hispanic people accounted for 20% of the total population in 2024, and 26.9% of children. Is it any wonder citizenship classes are in growing demand?

Working toward citizenship

I started one-on-one tutoring for my Venezuelan friend a few weeks ago and she is doing great, answering the 100 civics questions most Americans would admit they don’t have a clue about. I’ve taught citizenship classes through my church for years and the best description I can give to the process is that old line about Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. She did everything he did, only backwards and in heels.

My students learn about American history and government, doing it in a second language while managing communication with their families back home, the stress of building a new life apart from support structures and, sometimes, the threat of deportation if something goes wrong with a judge or an ICE agent. They know the citizenship text will only ask five or six of the possible 100 questions. And they know they must answer orally in front of a person wearing a uniform. Even the most prepared students admit extreme nervousness.

That nervousness extends beyond immigrants seeking citizenship naturalization. The recent aggressive posture leading to deportations, some of them violent, is causing consternation and anxiety among immigrant friends I know who have been naturalized citizens for years. Rumors abound that no one is safe now, not even long-term immigrants who did everything the right way  and gained citizenship. Those rumors and anxiety are quickly turning to fear for many of my friends.

Still, the best remedy is citizenship. While a Green Card provides strong protection for immigrants, nothing beats becoming a citizen.

Learning while helping others

There is an opportunity here, for immigrants and for people in churches and other nonprofits. The growing number of immigrants means a growing number of people looking to complete citizenship naturalization. It’s an opportunity to personally solve at least a small piece of the immigration puzzle and not wait for Congress to do something.

It’s also a good opportunity to remind yourself of some basic civics, history and government facts. How many amendments does the constitution have? What are two (out of three) rights in the Declaration of Independence? What does the president’s cabinet do? Those and 97 more.

Teach a citizenship class. Help with support services so an immigrant can take it. Look for ways to be part of the solution.

Editor’s Note: This article originally ran in The Dallas Morning News and is used by permission. Scott Collins retired as senior vice president at Buckner International. He is currently serving as interim editor of the Baptist Standard and is a member of The Crossing Baptist Church, Mesquite.