Immigrant Services

 Citizenship Requirements

• Be a Lawful Permanent Resident for at least 5 years OR 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen
• Have been physically living in the U.S. continuously for the last 5 years
• Be of good moral character
• Be able to speak, read, and write basic English
• NOTE: if applicant is not eligible to take Civics test in their native language
• Be able to pass a civics test on U.S. history and government

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Vision

To be the premier non-profit provider of immigration services in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Statement of Purpose

To foster family reunification, economic empowerment, political participation, and social integration by providing low-cost, high quality immigration services that enable eligible immigrants to obtain legal immigrant or citizenship status.

Our Credentials

• Recognized by the US Department of Justice since 1982

• Affiliated with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) since 1987

• Member of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium and the San Diego Citizenship Collaborative

Our Services

Our program processes the following immigration applications at nominal fees:

• Adjustment of Status

• Family Visa Petitions

• Consular Processing

• Domestic Violence Cases (VAWA)

• Fee Waivers

• Legal Permanent Resident Card Renewal

• Affidavit of Support

• T and U Visas

• Travel Document

• Employment Authorization

• Citizenship and Naturalization

• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – DACA

• FOIA Requests

• Removal Defense

  • Non-Detained Clients

  • Detained Clients in San Diego and Imperial Counties

  • Bond Hearings

  • Unaccompanied Minors

Our offices also offer the following ancillary services:

• Consultations

• Translations

• Passport-style Photographs

Citizenship & Naturalization

Assisting eligible legal permanent residents become U.S. citizens.

Catholic Charities has assisted over 35,000 persons become US citizens in the past 30 years. As a member of the San Diego Citizenship Collaborative (SDCC), Catholic Charities has helped over 1,500 eligible permanent residents apply for citizenship.

Citizenship services include:

• Free weekly information sessions at our Chula Vista location

• Assessments on citizenship and fee waiver eligibility

• Low-cost one-on-one appointments with an Accredited Department of Justice Representative

Citizenship Requirements:

• Be a Lawful Permanent Resident for at least 5 years OR 3 years if married to a U.S. Citizen

• Have been physically living in the U.S. continuously for the last 5 years

• Be of good moral character

• Be able to speak, read and write basic English

• Be able to pass a civics test on U.S. history and government

You may be eligible to take the Citizenship test in your native language if:

• You are at least 50 years old and have at least 20 years as a Permanent Resident; or

• You are at least 55 years old and have at least 15 years as a Permanent Resident; or

• You are at least 65 years old and have at least 20 years as a Permanent Resident