Mayor Walsh Moves to Support Citizenship Education and Awareness

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh joined the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services director Leon Rodriguez on Tuesday to sign a letter of agreement to expand partnership to strengthen citizenship education and awareness efforts.

The new agreement between the two parties, which was signed at City Hall, will remain in effect for three years.

“There could be no better time for this kind of effort. Like so many places in our country, Boston is becoming more diverse, and this agreement will further the work being done by USCIS and our Office of New Bostonians, which is vitally important to our future,” said Walsh.

Recent research has shown that immigrants who have naturalized have more employment opportunities, higher income and an increased sense of belonging in the community.

Many immigrants in the city of Boston have not become citizens. The partnerships with USCIS will help to reduce the informational gap.

Boston joins Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta and New York City as USCIS’ sixth municipal partner.