Larson, Bronin, Blumenthal, Murphy Announce $450,000 to Support Citizenship Instruction at Hartford Public Library
Hartford, CT - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01), Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, and Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy announced $450,000 in federal funding from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to expand Hartford Public Library's successful citizenship instruction and naturalization application services to immigrants at The American Place.
“Hartford has a long legacy of welcoming immigrants with open arms, including most recently, Ukrainian refugees and our Afghan allies,” said Larson. “The American Place has been nationally recognized for the programs they offer, including green card services and job training opportunities. I was thrilled to support funding for The American Place in Congress to expand citizenship and naturalization services available to the Hartford community.”
“Hartford has a proud history of welcoming immigrants with open arms and this $450,000 federal grant for The American Place will bolster access to educational and legal services to help hundreds more people on their path to citizenship. The Hartford Public Library is the only library in the country to receive this award – a true testament to the outstanding services they provide. We are a nation of immigrants and I see the impact of programs like The American Place firsthand every week at naturalization ceremonies across Connecticut. I am proud to have fought for these funds and will continue to support programs that offer a beacon of hope for Connecticut’s immigrant community,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.
“The United States has a long history of welcoming refugees and immigrants, and we are stronger for it. Becoming a citizen is no easy feat, but the services offered by The American Place ensure more people in the Hartford community can achieve their dream of American citizenship. It’s great to see federal dollars go toward this incredible program, and I’ll continue pushing for funding that supports Connecticut’s vibrant immigrant community,” said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy.
“We are so appreciative of this recognition. Public libraries have a unique role to play in this space and USCIS’ continued support of our program validates our effectiveness in this role,” said Homa Naficy, Executive Director, HPL’s The American Place. “Since 2000, TAP has been at the forefront of welcoming immigrants and providing the opportunities and support they need to become fully engaged citizens.”
USCIS’ Citizenship and Integration grant funds help prepare lawful permanent residents (LPRs) for naturalization. Hartford Public Library (HPL) was the only public library in the country to be awarded funds through USCIS’ Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services grants program.