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New program from USCIS encourages citizenship for legal residents

A new program from Citizenship and Immigration Services — or USCIS — will partner with a group of volunteers from around the country to encourage lawful permanent residents eligible for U.S. citizenship to apply. 

The program aims to reach more than 9.1 million lawful permanent residents around the U.S. through so-called citizenship ambassadors who are community leaders and fellow immigrants.

The new program will have them connect with local permanent residents in their areas and provide them with information about citizenship — part of an executive order signed by President Joe Biden in February 2021to promote naturalization and restore faith in the immigration system.

Ambassadors named so far are in cities in places like California, Texas and Florida. 

Alisa Reznick is a senior field correspondent covering stories across southern Arizona and the borderlands for the Tucson bureau of KJZZ's Fronteras Desk.