Civics Classes Put Refugees on the Road to Citizenship

Last Saturday, 18 adults gathered in a classroom for their first civics lesson. These students arrived in the U.S. three to five years ago from Burma. On Saturday, they learned about the Boston Tea Party, the Declaration of Independence, and “taxation without representation.” This class was the first of twelve weekly citizenship classes being offered by the IRC.

The goal of the classes is to offer civics and ESL instruction geared toward gaining U.S. citizenship. “After five years in the U.S., clients can apply for citizenship,” explains Amber Mull, IRC’s Community Integration Manager. “In order to pass the test, they must be able to speak and write basic English and have knowledge of American civics and history. The classes not only prepare them for the test but also prepare them to become responsible, participating citizens.”

The IRC is partnering with the Atlanta Matupi Community Church, a primarily Chin congregation, to offer the classes at Grace Presbyterian Church.