Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship and Civic Participation

Civic Integration Activities

The rights and responsibilities of citizenship and civic participation are critical components of civic integration and a key component of IELCE. IELCE instruction in this topic can include information about documentation and citizenship preparation as well as community engagement more broadly, such as through topics like navigating community services and achieving a more digitally equitable future. Resources in this section highlight how IELCE activities can support civics education and deliver citizenship and civic participation services.

Enhancing Access for Refugees and New Americans logo
EARN Resources
 
Spotlight: Civics in the Adult Education Classroom
Video: Contextualizing Civics for the Workplace
Guide: Expanding the Use of Online Resources in IELCE Activities to Support Immigrant Integration and Inclusion
 
Government Document Attainment

Applying for residency and citizenship requires completion of government-issued documents. Many resources exist to outline these complex procedures, and this section provides resources to support these efforts.

 
Citizenship Preparation Instruction

Citizenship preparation instruction, typically offered in citizenship preparation programs funded by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, supports immigrants in preparing for the naturalization exam, which assesses English literacy and knowledge of American history and government. Adult education instructors may want to be aware of these resources as IELCE activities can prepare ELs for these formal citizenship preparation activities through partnership with citizenship preparation programs, student supports, and instruction related to civics.

 
Community Services Navigation

The ability to navigate community services such as schools and health care are critical for immigrants’ socioemotional well-being and for civic integration. Resources in this section provide guidance for instruction on these vital civic integration topics and strategies for connecting immigrants and English learners to community resources, such as through community navigators.

 
Digital Equity

Many immigrant families experience digital inequity and do not have adequate access to key digital tools such as home broadband internet services and digital devices. Resources in this section provide strategies for accommodating immigrant families’ current digital access and supporting their ability to obtain these key digital tools.

More Topics