CITIZENSHIP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SERJobs assists Lawful Permanent Residents to become Naturalized Citizens. Our Program provides information
about the naturalization process and referral services to the immigration network in the Houston Metropolitan area.
BENEFITS OF BECOMING US CITIZEN
Stay in the US legally
Get citizenship for your child and file immediate family petition
Travel with US passport, over 100 countries will not require a visa.
Receive Government Benefits
Vote in local, state and federal elections
Work in Government jobs (state and federal)
Run for Public Office
Apply for deferral scholarships and grants
CITIZENSHIP INFORMATION SESSIONS
Attend one of our monthly sessions where we will explain the benefits of becoming a citizen, the most common
challenges and myths, how to overcome them and a step-by-step guide on the Citizenship/Naturalization process.
If eligible you will get help completing your naturalization application and requesting the free waiver.
You will receive information about English and Citizenship Classes, fee waiver, and other agencies offering legal
representation if needed. Sessions will be either virtual or in-person – 1.5 hours long - Bilingual in Spanish.
INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS
Contact Johnny Herrera at to schedule a personalized session about your individual case. Please bring the
documents he indicates.
REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME US CITIZEN
In general, you must meet the following requirements when you apply for naturalization as a lawful permanent resident.
You must be 18 years of age or older at the time you file the application.
You must be a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for usually 5 years before filing.
You must have continuous residence in the United States for usually 5 years before filin.
You must be physically present in the U.S. for usually 30 months before filing.
You must have proof of state residence for at least 3 months before filing.
You must show good moral character for usually 5 years before filing.
You must register for military service if you are a male Green Card holder
There are exceptions to some requirements based on your age, time in the country, or medical condition.
SERJobs ayuda a los Residentes Permanentes Legales a convertirse en Ciudadanos Naturalizados. Nuestro programa
proporciona información sobre el proceso de naturalización y servicios de referencia a la red de inmigración en el área
metropolitana de Houston.
BENEFICIOS DE CONVERTIRSE EN CIUDADANO ESTADOUNIDENSE
Permanecer legalmente en los Estados Unidos
Obtener la ciudadanía para tu hijo/a y presentar una petición familiar inmediata
Viajar con pasaporte estadounidense, más de 100 países no requerirán visa.
Recibir beneficios del gobierno
Votar en elecciones locales, estatales y federales
Trabajar en empleos del gobierno (estatal y federal)
Postularse para becas y subsidios diferidos
SESIONES INFORMATIVAS DE CIUDADANÍA
Asiste a una de nuestras sesiones mensuales donde te explicaremos los beneficios de convertirte en ciudadano, los
desafíos y mitos más comunes, cómo superarlos y una guía paso a paso sobre el proceso de Ciudadanía/Naturalización.
Si eres elegible, recibirás ayuda para completar tu solicitud de naturalización y solicitar la exención gratuita.
Recibirás información sobre clases de inglés y ciudadanía, exención de tarifas y otras agencias que ofrecen
representación legal si es necesario. Las sesiones serán virtuales o presenciales, con una duración de 1.5 horas y serán bilingües en español.
SESIONES INDIVIDUALES
Contacta a Johnny Herrera en jherrera@serjobs.org para programar una sesión personalizada sobre tu caso individual. Por favor, lleva los documentos que él indique.
REQUISITOS PARA CONVERTIRSE EN CIUDADANO ESTADOUNIDENSE
En general, debes cumplir con los siguientes requisitos al solicitar la naturalización como residente permanente legal:
Debes tener 18 años de edad o más al momento de presentar la solicitud.
Debes ser residente permanente legal (LPR) durante normalmente 5 años antes de presentar la solicitud.
Debes tener residencia continua en los Estados Unidos durante normalmente 5 años antes de presentar la solicitud.
Debes estar físicamente presente en los EE.UU. durante normalmente 30 meses antes de presentar la solicitud.
Debes tener prueba de residencia en el estado durante al menos 3 meses antes de presentar la solicitud.
Debes demostrar buen carácter moral durante normalmente 5 años antes de presentar la solicitud.
Hay excepciones a algunos requisitos basadas en tu edad, tiempo en el país o condición médica.
SERJobs’ Success Story - From Johnny Herrera
I had the opportunity to assist a long-term Legal Permanent Resident, a Mexican national who had resided in the United States for over twenty years. She was facing extreme economic and medical hardship due to a combination of factors, including a serious mental health condition that severely impacted on her ability to maintain stable employment and limited her income.
At the same time, her mother—residing in Mexico—was gravely ill, and she urgently needed to pursue U.S. citizenship to secure the ability to travel and provide necessary care, without jeopardizing her own legal permanent status.
When we connected, she was unaware that she could apply for naturalization under a medical exception due to her condition. I informed her on the importance of a legal consultation to begin the process of becoming a U.S. citizen and helped her navigate the complex system to obtain medical insurance, which was a critical step in accessing the required medical examination for the N-648 waiver form.
Once her medical evaluation was completed, I referred her to Catholic Charities – Cabrini Center, where she received legal consultation and representation for her naturalization case. With their support and the medical waiver in place, she successfully became a United States citizen.
Now, she is applying for medical and disability benefits, which will help her maintain stability and continue caring for both her own health and her ailing mother. Most importantly, she no longer lives in fear of losing her status, and she can fully engage in her responsibilities as a daughter and a member of her community.
This case highlights the critical impact of informed guidance, access to resources, and compassionate advocacy in helping individuals navigate complex systems and achieve life-changing outcomes.
This case shows the real impact of community support and legal guidance. When people are informed of their rights and the legal pathways available to them, they are empowered to make decisions that improve not only their own lives but the well-being of their families and communities. Citizenship brings stronger rights, deeper responsibilities, and greater stability, and it all begins with access to the right information and support.