Ogden City helps break down barriers to U.S. citizenship
Nov 20, 2023, 4:00 PM
The Centennial Trail and the Ogden River travel under Washington Boulevard near the Ogden sign on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
(Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
OGDEN, Utah — Ogden City is launching a new program to help immigrants become U.S. citizens.
The Citizenship Path Program will help with costs, classes and even childcare for people wanting to take this life-changing step.
The goal is to eliminate barriers people face on the path to citizenship. Almost 4,000 people in Weber County alone qualify for the program.
“There are so many people who are eligible to become naturalized U.S. citizens and they don’t do so for a number of reasons,” said Diversity Affairs Coordinator for Ogden City Linda Lartigue.
With help from a grant, the program will cover the entire cost of the exam which is typically $725. The program also offers four additional classes designed to help people understand how to be civically minded. The goal is to help people move forward in the community with confidence.
The program has been made possible by a community improvement grant, along with community partners like United Way, The Weber County Library System, Catholic Community Services and My Home Town Ogden.
All classes will be held in Ogden, but people do not have to be Ogden citizens to apply. Participants are required to be in Ogden once a week for the 12-week program starting Jan. 10.
