BlueHub's latest nonprofit initiative, One Percent for America (OPA), was featured on NPR's Marketplace as a solution to address the cost of becoming a US citizen.
BlueHub's COO, Brenda Loya, highlighted the financial burden of citizenship application fees, which can quickly add up, especially for families. "Families make choices on where they spend their money. If times are tight, it’s possible that they won’t take the step," Loya said. The $725 fee per person, which has nearly tripled over 20 years, is set to increase again soon.
Jessica Mejia, a 37-year-old resident of Baytown, Texas, is becoming a US citizen along with her mother. They both received a loan from OPA to cover their application fees and are repaying it at $50 a month. “You don’t even feel it. Fifty dollars is what you spend at a restaurant,” Mejia said.
Mejia’s journey to citizenship began with a personal tragedy when her brother was killed in Colombia. She and her mother fled to the US 11 years ago. Once here, Mejia married, and her husband sponsored her green card. She dreams of celebrating her citizenship with a traditional American barbecue.
OPA has financed roughly 600 loans across the country and is seeking donations, investments, and corporate sponsorships to expand its impact.
Approximately 9.2 million lawful permanent residents in the US are eligible to become citizens, but many face socioeconomic barriers. Federal citizenship fee waivers are available for some low-income immigrants, but many rely on nonprofit organizations for support.
In Houston, a new effort by the nonprofit Houston Endowment aims to improve access to naturalization with a $1.5 million fund for citizenship fee assistance. The organization aims to surpass New York City's annual naturalizations, which are the highest in the country.
Research shows that lawful permanent residents least likely to become citizens tend to be lower-income, less educated, and less fluent in English. Organizations like Bonding Against Adversity provide citizenship classes and help low-income immigrants obtain federal fee waivers.
If all goes well, Jessica Mejia will soon take her oath of allegiance and celebrate her new status with a quintessential American barbecue. “With a barbecue — something really American. Hot dogs and hamburgers,” she said.