Miami to offer free citizenship classes for immigrants after feds cut funding
On Monday, Miami District 4 Commissioner Ralph Rosado announced that his office would allocate up to $10,000 to subsidize Miami-Dade County Public Schools' Fast Track to Citizenship courses, offered through the school district's adult education program.
Earlier this month, the Miami Herald reported that Miami-Dade County Public Schools would stop offering the courses after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security determined the program 'no longer effectuates the program goals and the Department's priorities,' making it so that all federally funded work under the grant 'will be unallowable.'
READ MORE: Miami-Dade school district ends citizenship classes for immigrants after federal cuts
'This is much more than just about funding a program,' Rosado said at a press conference Monday. 'It's about living our values as Americans and as Miamians. It's about living the values of opportunity and the belief that Miami's variety is our strength.'
The course, which supports lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship, includes help with the 20-page naturalization application and preparation for the exam. Citizenship preparation courses have been taught through Miami-Dade schools in some form since at least the 1970s. The Fast Track to Citizenship courses were previously funded by the state before they were funded by the federal government.
Rosado said his office would allocate up to $10,000, based on an estimate that approximately 150 people apply per year for a course that costs up to $65. He said that should be enough to keep the program running for another year. Rosado said his office has been in contact with the school district about his initiative.
For now, the funding will only be available for residents in the city of Miami, where about 58% of residents are foreign born and more than 70% are Hispanic or Latino, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Rosado said it will go into effect in the fall, when the current grant is set to run out, but that he would work to make the funding available sooner if there's a shortfall.
Rosado's announcement landed weeks after the city voted to enter an immigration enforcement agreement with ICE, deputizing Miami police officers with immigration enforcement powers. The commission voted 3-2 to enter into what's called a 287(g) agreement; Rosado was one of the three who voted in favor.
Mayor Francis Suarez said the citizenship program has 'a clear track record of providing an important service to our community' but that it 'became a victim of funding cuts to Miami-Dade County public schools.'
'This financial investment will guarantee that those who are already on a pathway to citizenship will not face any obstacles in achieving that dream,' Suarez said.
To apply for the program, Rosado said Miami residents can call (305) 558-8000 or go to adulteducationworks.com.
In March, when the federal government announced it was ending funding for the Fast Track to Citizenship classes through Miami-Dade County Public Schools' adult education program, four locations continued to offer separate citizenship classes through the district's continuing education program. The school district told the Herald those citizenship courses will continue.
But the courses are fee-based and can be expensive depending on the number of students who enroll. Students split the cost of teachers' salaries and materials based on the number of students. When the Herald first reported that the district was offering fee-based courses, there was no information on its website or social media, and the district said interested students had to show up in person at the locations to express interest and enroll.
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