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International Institute of Rhode Island's mission is to enable all area residents, especially immigrants and refugees, to become self-reliant, invested participants in our communities, while fostering respect and understanding among all people. Read more

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July 24, 2006

More than 2,000 Rhode Islanders became new U.S. Citizens over the past year

How difficult and costly is the process?

Consider this, one has 20 minutes to take a test for which they have waited for what may seem like an eternity.

DID YOU KNOW that in addition to passing security clearances and English reading and writing tests, an applicant must also pass a U.S. history exam that would challenge many Americans today?

-Do you know what the stars on our flag mean? 
-What are the three branches of our government? 
-How many senators are in Congress?
-How many amendments are there to the Constitution? 
-What is the “Supreme Law of the land”? 
-Can you name the original 13 colonies? 
-Do you know the name of the Speaker of the House?

These are just a few of the more than one hundred questions that one might be asked on the history section of a federal naturalization exam.

Eligibility for U.S. citizenship requires that one must be at least 18 years of age, have resided in the U.S. for at least 5 years and is able to pay a fee of $400 to the federal government. 

With the help of the caseworkers within IIRI’s Feinstein Center for Citizenship & Immigration Services coupled with IIRI Citizenship classes, our clients boast a 93% pass rate on taking the naturalization exam on the first try.

IIRI is one of only three agencies in Rhode Island accredited by the Federal Bureau of Immigration Appeals.  The Institute's Feinstein Center for Citizenship & Immigration Services has six accredited caseworkers and one staff attorney trained to handle specific immigration issues such as citizenship, petitions for relatives, and green card applications among many others.

To learn more about the Feinstein Center for Citizenship & Immigration Services please visit www.iiri.org or contact 401.784.8622.