§ 2537 : INITIAL ENTRY, ADJUSTMENT, AND CITIZENSHIP ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM

AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary, acting through the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, may award Initial Entry, Adjustment, and Citizenship Assistance grants to eligible public or private, nonprofit organizations.

USE OF GRANT FUNDS.—IEACA grants shall be used for the design and implementation of programs that provide direct assistance, within the scope of the authorized practice of immigration law—

1.

to aliens who are preparing an initial application for registered provisional immigrant status under section 245Bof the Immigration and Nationality Act and to aliens who are preparing an initial application for blue card status under section 2211, including assisting applicants in—

A.

screening to assess prospective applicants’ potential eligibility or lack of eligibility;

B.

completing applications;

C.

gathering proof of identification, employment, residence, and tax payment;

D.

gathering proof of relationships of eligible family members;

E.

applying for any waivers for which applicants and qualifying family members may be eligible; and

F.

any other assistance that the Secretary or grantee considers useful to aliens who are interested in applying for registered provisional immigrant status;

2.

to aliens seeking to adjust their status under section 245, 245B, 245C or 245F of the Immigration and Nationality Act;

3.

to legal permanent residents seeking to become naturalized United States citizens; and

4.

to applicants on—

A.

the rights and responsibilities of United States citizenship;

B.

civics-based English as a second language;

C.

civics, with a special emphasis on common values and traditions of Americans, including an understanding of the history of the United States and the principles of the Constitution; and

D.

applying for United States citizenship.