Gateway to Citizenship Program

Your path to becoming a US Citizen

Citizenship is the common thread that connects all Americans. The Literacy Council’s free Gateway to Citizenship Program is a partnership with Aldea - The People’s Justice Center, funded by the United Way of Berks County, to offer permanent residents a path to citizenship. PROOF OF RESIDENCY REQUIRED.

Applicant must be at least 18 years old.

Applicant must have been a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) of the United States for a continuous five-year period.

Applicant must be a person of good moral character — for example, one who has paid their taxes and not been convicted of a serious crime.

You may enroll in this program before the five-year period. It's never too early to start preparing!

Course Objectives

Students will speak, read, and write English at the high beginning ESL level.

Students will be able to answer 90 out of 100 civics questions.

Students will acquire knowledge about eligibility for naturalization, how to apply, and the interview process.

Students will be able to integrate civic participation skills via civic leader guest speakers and in-person or virtual field trips to various historical places.

Students will correctly read aloud interrogatory sentences derived from the USCIS vocabulary list.

Students will correctly write dictated declarative sentences derived from the USCIS writing vocabulary test.

Students will demonstrate knowledge of the post-interview process, the logistics, and the requirements for the naturalization ceremony.

Students will acquire verbal skills to respond appropriately during the interview process pertaining to the N-400 information and civics test items and understand how to complete the N-400 with possible representation from Aldea.

Register for a class and begin your journey!

When people come to us, they’re committed to making a change, and they’re ready to do the work. We have helped thousands of adults reach their goals.

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Your donation today creates a lifetime of opportunity.

Because of you, local parents, workers, and neighbors will gain vital reading, English language, and computer skills. They will earn a high school equivalency degree, get a job, enroll in college, help their children in school, and much more. With many people on our waiting list, your donation is urgently needed.