Catholic Charities Urges Sonoma County to Fund the Gift of Citizenship

Catholic Charities of Northwest California has launched a new drive in Sonoma County to help lawful permanent residents become U.S. citizens amid a sharp loss of federal funding. The campaign, called “Fund a Future Citizen,” seeks local sponsors to cover the full cost of the naturalization journey, which the group says totals about $14,000 per person when test fees, legal services, and classes are included. The effort targets residents across the region who are eligible to apply for citizenship but are stalled by costs and the ripple effects of policy pressures that have heightened fear in immigrant communities.

The organization says the push follows a federal funding cut of over $500,000 in May 2025 that previously supported legal permanent residents as they prepared and filed for naturalization. Without that money, community donors will be asked to close the gap so families do not have to choose between applying for citizenship and paying basic bills. Leaders stress timing matters, describing families facing mixed-status challenges, parents working multiple jobs, and seniors who have lived in the United States for decades but cannot afford the legal help and English/civics classes needed to make a strong application.

Why the campaign was launched

Jennielynn Holmes, CEO of Catholic Charities of Northwest California, frames the initiative as a community response to volatility in national policy and on-the-ground enforcement. The organization cites ongoing threats from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the harm from shifting policies that can keep eligible residents from stepping forward.

Holmes argues that easing the financial burden now can:
– Protect families and keep neighbors together
– Build stability through the rights and security that citizenship provides

The campaign remains in early development, but the structure is straightforward: donors fund the complete path to citizenship for each applicant. That includes legal screening, case preparation, application support, and classes to help residents pass the English and civics tests.

What donors fund

Donors who sponsor an applicant help cover:
– Legal screening and case preparation
– Application support (including preparing the Form N-400)
– English and civics classes and practice interviews
– Test fees and any follow-up responses to USCIS

Many applicants file the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, which Catholic Charities helps prepare; the official form and instructions are available through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at USCIS: N-400. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, campaigns like Fund a Future Citizen commonly aim to cover fees, legal services, and classes so the applicant can focus on meeting eligibility and preparing for the interview.

Existing services and partnerships

Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa, part of the regional network, already offers a wide range of immigration legal services and citizenship classes to residents in Sonoma and nearby counties. Staff accredited to practice before the Department of Justice assist with naturalization, family petitions, and other immigration processes. Much of this help is free or offered at low cost, but the loss of federal dollars means even modest fees can become barriers for low-income residents who still need expert legal review and guided practice.

County and community partners supporting or augmenting these services include:
– Sonoma County government agencies
– University of San Francisco School of Law Immigration Clinic
– VIDAS
– California Human Development

Each organization plays different roles: clinic-based legal work, outreach, and classes/screenings.

Local government stance and community trust

In January 2025, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors pledged to uphold civil rights for immigrants and continue following the California Values Act, which limits cooperation with ICE except in cases involving serious crimes. Supervisors said this stance reflects public safety and community trust priorities.

County agencies and local partners have expanded legal aid and community resources. Organizers say that the Board’s pledge has signaled to immigrant families they can seek services without added fear, which is essential for residents to attend classes, bring in documents, and stay with the process through interviews and oath ceremonies.

The $14,000 figure explained

The $14,000 estimate reflects the full journey rather than a single filing fee. It accounts for:
– Legal time needed to research complex histories and fix past paperwork errors
– Services to respond to any requests from USCIS
– Group and one-on-one classes, translation, and repeated test preparation when needed

Organizers stress this is not a flat price tag — each case differs. Still, donors tend to respond when they can fund a complete path for a neighbor rather than just a portion. For families living paycheck to paycheck, that comprehensive support can be the difference between applying this year or waiting indefinitely.

Priorities and applicant screening

Catholic Charities of Northwest California says it will direct donations to applicants with the greatest need, focusing on those who have already met eligibility but lack resources for strong applications. Staff will continue offering free or nominal-fee consultations to determine if applicants qualify, which can prevent costly mistakes and denials later.

The federal funding cut in May coincided with rising local demand. As living costs rise, applicants who once might have paid for classes now need full scholarships. The campaign aims to prioritize those most affected.

Community benefits of naturalization

County officials and nonprofit leaders frame the campaign as carrying a civic message: citizenship strengthens the broader community. When a resident becomes a citizen, they can:
– Vote in local and national elections
– Serve on juries
– Take on jobs that require citizenship

Supporters argue these changes deepen ties to schools, workplaces, and neighborhood groups, show up in classrooms where parents engage more fully, and help local boards better reflect the county’s diversity.

Common concerns and responses

Critics of county limits on ICE cooperation sometimes warn that such policies reduce safety. Sonoma County leaders counter that the California Values Act still allows cooperation in serious criminal cases and that community trust helps law enforcement solve crimes.

Organizers of Fund a Future Citizen emphasize that trust is essential for residents to move through the naturalization process — from attending classes to completing interviews and oath ceremonies.

Practical steps for applicants

Legal service providers recommend these steps for those considering naturalization:
1. Confirm eligibility
2. Gather required documents and translations
3. Prepare for the English and civics tests
4. Submit Form N-400 correctly

Applicants can find official guidance on forms and timelines through USCIS at USCIS: Naturalization. Local workshops often help with study and practice for interviews.

How to get involved

Catholic Charities urges potential donors and applicants to visit the Catholic Charities of Northwest California website for updates on the campaign and class schedules. Early gifts will help the first group of applicants move forward this year.

Key takeaway: The Fund a Future Citizen campaign seeks to replace lost federal funding by enabling community donors to sponsor the full naturalization pathway — legal support, fees, and classes — so eligible lawful permanent residents can become citizens without sacrificing basic needs.