The Cambridge Community Learning Center (CLC) helps English Language Learners get ready to take the U.S. naturalization test. People need to pass this test to become a U.S. citizen.
Our weekly Citizenship Class includes:
- English practice with the 100 civics questions
- Referrals for free help to complete the N-400 application for naturalization
- Practice with reading and writing in English
To Join the Class:
- You must live in Cambridge
- You must have beginner or intermediate level English
- You must be eligible to apply for citizenship
- You must be at least 18 years old
Priority is given to people who are currently taking English classes at the CLC.
Interested? Contact Whit at whendon@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-6363.
Questions and Answers
How much does it cost to participate in the CLC’s Citizenship Class?
The class is free.
The application fee for Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) is $725 for people 75 years old or younger. The fee for people over 75 years old is $640.
If you have a low income, we will help you apply for free.
What are some of the benefits of becoming a US Citizen?
United States citizenship provides many privileges and benefits.
- Right to vote
- U.S. citizens can petition for overseas family members to receive Green Cards and immigrate legally to the United States.
- U.S. citizenship for children
- U.S. citizens can’t be deported. They can travel outside of the country for unlimited periods of time and to any country they wish.
- Access to a government benefits including federal student aid and job opportunities available only to U.S. citizens
- The U.S. protects its citizens abroad.
- Ability to run for elected political positions. Only U.S. citizens can run for federal office (including the Presidency) and most state and local offices (including Congress and local government).
Who administers the citizenship test?
You get your citizenship through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS. See more details at https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship.
The Community Learning Center can help you get ready.
Who can apply for U.S. Citizenship?
To apply, applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a permanent residence card (Green Card) for at least 5 years, or for 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen.
- Have had physical presence in the United States for at least 30 months, or 912 days, out of the 5 years (18 months/548 days if married to a U.S. citizen). Applicants must have lived in the state or USCIS district in which they are applying for at least 3 months.
- Have good moral character
- Be willing to take an oath to the United States and its Constitution