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Citizenship and 

Assimilation Grant 

Program 

FY 2015 Fact Sheet

Office of Policy and 

Strategy

FACT SHEET
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FY2015 Citizenship and Assimilation Grant Program Fact Sheet

From fiscal years (FY) 2009 through 2015, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) 

Office of Citizenship awarded 262 competitive grants totaling $53 million to immigrant-serving 

organizations through the Citizenship and Assimilation Grant Program (CAGP).1 These CAGP 

grant recipients from FY2009 through FY2015 have provided citizenship preparation services 

to over 156,000 lawful permanent residents (LPRs) in the District of Columbia and 35 states 

across the United States during this time. Specifically, CAGP grant recipients offer services to 

help applicants prepare for the English and civics portions of the naturalization test and submit

the Application for Naturalization (Form N-400). 

There were 80 CAGP grant recipients providing citizenship preparation services in FY 2015. 

CAGP grants are for a two-year period. Of the 80 2015 CAGP recipients, 40 provided their first 

year of services in FY 2014 and their second year of services in FY 2015. The other 40 2015 CAGP 

recipients provided their first year of services in FY 2015 and their second year of services in FY

2016. On average, each CAGP recipient received approximately $250,000 in funding for their 

two-year grant. 

This fact sheet provides an overview of the characteristics of and outcomes for those who 

received citizenship preparation services from organizations awarded CAGP funds in FY 2015. 

The characteristics highlighted include age, gender, marital status, occupation, country of 

birth, LPR class of admission, and length of time in LPR status. Outcomes examined include 

the kind of service provided to CAGP participants, naturalization application submission rates, 

English and civics test results, test exemptions, fee waivers, and naturalization rates.

Data Source:

USCIS collected the underlying data from CAGP grant recipients (“CAGP data”) and USCIS data 

systems. In addition, corresponding Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) data was provided by 

USCIS Office of Information Technology (OIT). The USCIS Office of Policy and Strategy, Policy 

Research Division (PRD), Immigration Data Analysis Branch analyzed the data.

1 The program was formerly known as the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program (CIGP). For details see Citizenship and 

Assimilation Grant Program web page. See FY15 Grant Fact Sheet and FY16 Grant Fact Sheet. 
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CAGP Geographic Coverage

During FY 2015, 80 CAGP grant recipients provided citizenship preparation services to 32,540 

LPRs in the District of Columbia and 31 states across the United States. (See Figure 1 and Figure 

1a). Approximately half of all LPRs receiving services were located in six states: California 

(14.6%), New York (14%), Texas (8.3%), Florida (7.2%), Illinois (6.1%), and Virginia (4.1%). 

Figure 1: FY 2015 CAGP Participants by State

Source: USCIS Lawful Permanent Resident and Naturalization Data; CAGP data.

Figure 1a: FY 2015 CAGP Participants by State

Source: USCIS Lawful Permanent Resident and Naturalization Data; CAGP data.

6,779 

692 

693 

725 

814 

899 

924 

1,050 

1,077 

1,195 

1,328 

1,984 

2,357 

2,709 

4,563 

4,751 

 - 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000

* Others

 CO

 PA

 UT

 MA

 MN

 WA

 GA

 OH

 MD

 VA

 IL

 FL

 TX

 NY

 CA
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CAGP Participant Characteristics

The median age of LPRs who received services from CAGP recipients was 44. Females 

accounted for 60.3% of all CAGP participants. The majority of CAGP participants were married 

(62.3%), while 23.7% were single, and 9.4% divorced. Nearly one-third of CAGP participants 

reported that they had no occupation or were not working outside the home at the time they 

applied for naturalization (14.6% unemployed, 9.4% homemakers, 5% students, and 3.1% 

retirees); an additional 23.7% were in service occupations. 

Approximately one-third of CAGP participants gained LPR status as immediate relatives of U.S. 

citizens (31.4%), while 30.3% were admitted as refugees and asylees, and another 19.5% were 

admitted under family-sponsored preferences categories. CAGP participants had spent a 

median duration of six years in LPR status at the time they enrolled in CAGP.

In total, CAGP participants were born in 160 different countries, with slightly more than half 

born in eight countries: Mexico (19.2%), Iraq (6.7%), Dominican Republic (5.3%), Bhutan (4.6%), 

Burma (4.3%), Vietnam (4.1%), El Salvador (3.8%), and Colombia (3.8%) (See Figure 2 and 

Figure 2a). 

Figure 2: FY 2015 CAGP Participants by Country of Birth

Source: USCIS Lawful Permanent Resident and Naturalization Data; CAGP data.
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Figure 2: FY 2015 CAGP Participants by Country of Birth

Source: USCIS Lawful Permanent Resident and naturalization data; CAGP data.

CAGP Services

Depending on need, CAGP recipients offered citizenship instruction services (English 

proficiency assessments, and English and civics instruction), and naturalization application 

services (screening to determine naturalization eligibility, assistance with filing Form N-400, 

and providing case-specific advice). Approximately one-fifth of CAGP participants used both 

citizenship instruction services and naturalization application services (20.1%), while 27.6% 

used only citizenship instruction services, and 52.2% used only naturalization application 

services. 

Naturalization applicants may qualify for an exception to the English or civics portions of the 

naturalization testif they provide evidence that they are unable to comply with the English and 

civics requirements due to a medically determinable physical or developmental disability or 

mental impairment. Additionally, an applicant may qualify for an exception to the English 

portion based on their age and number of years as an LPR.2 Among CAGP participants, 7.3% 

2 See Exceptions and Accommodations web page for details about naturalization test exceptions 
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received an exemption from the English portion of the naturalization test, 4.1% received an 

exemption from the civics portion, and 3.9% received an exemption from both portions.

CAGP Outcomes

During FY 2015, 69.7% (22,680 of 32,540) of CAGP participants submitted Form N-400 

applications that were accepted. Of these, 98.7% went on to take the naturalization test for 

their applications3 (88.9% taking it once; 9.8% taking it twice), with 93.4% passing the 

naturalization test (87% on their first test; 6.4% on their second test), and 91.9% successfully 

becoming naturalized citizens. Of the CAGP participants with accepted applications, 52.7%

met the financial hardship eligibility criteria and had their fee waiver request approved.4 

Overall, 64% (20,833 of 32,540) of FY 2015 CAGP participants submitted Form N-400 

applications that resulted in their naturalization.

CAGP Participant Characteristics and Outcomes Summary

Fifty percent of FY 2015 CAGP participants lived in five states: California 15%, New York 14%, 

Texas 8%, Florida 7%, and Illinois 6%.

In total, FY 2015 CAGP participants were born in 160 different countries. The top five countries 

of birth, comprising 40 % of total CAGP participants were: Mexico 19%, Iraq 7%, Dominican 

Republic 5%, Bhutan 5% and Burma 4%.

About half of FY 2015 CAGP participants were less than 45 years old. The median age was 44. 

Over 75% of CAGP participants were born in the following regions: Asia 33%, North America 

19%, South America 12%, and the Caribbean 11%.

Females accounted for 60% of all FY 2015 CAGP participants. The majority of CAGP participants 

were married 62%, while 24% were single, and 9% were divorced.

For more information, refer to table 1, table 2, and table 3 below.

3 This includes CAGP participants who took both portions of the naturalization test (English and civics) or received an exemption 

for one or both portions. 4 See Filing a Fee Waiver web page for details about application fee waivers.
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Table 1: FY 2015 CAGP Participant Characteristics

 

% % % % 

Number of 

CAGP 

participants

% 

female

Median 

age

% 

single

% 

married

% 

unemployed

with/ 

Form N400 fee 

waived

 with/ 

Immediate 

relatives 

of U.S. 

citizens 

with/ 

Refugees 

and 

asylees 

COA1

 with/ 

Familysponsored 

preferences 

COA1

Median 

years in 

LPR 

status

COA1

Total 32,540 60.3% 44 23.7% 62.3% 14.6% 36.7% 31.4% 30.3% 19.5% 6

Region of birth

Asia 10,777 56.9% 42 21.7% 68.6% 19.2% 50.9% 17.6% 59.2% 15.7% 5

North 

America 6,300 60.7% 45 20.8% 67.6% 9.9% 20.6% 42.4% 0.3% 25.9% 11

South 

America 4,050 65.3% 50 18.3% 60.4% 10.3% 26.6% 53.0% 7.0% 21.4% 7

Caribbean 3,708 65.1% 46 32.7% 48.2% 15.0% 43.0% 37.5% 20.6% 34.3% 8

Africa 3,362 57.1% 37 32.8% 54.3% 14.8% 47.7% 19.1% 58.3% 3.4% 5

Central 

America 2,762 62.3% 46 27.6% 58.3% 10.5% 19.4% 31.2% 3.7% 24.4% 10

Europe 1,459 61.4% 52 14.5% 61.8% 18.6% 22.3% 39.9% 23.5% 4.9% 7

Unknown 71 52.1% 44 18.3% 45.1% 7.0% 8.5% 19.7% 8.5% 5.6% 9

Oceania 51 68.6% 55 11.8% 64.7% 11.8% 41.2% 49.0% 3.9% 29.4% 8

Source: USCIS Lawful Permanent Resident and naturalization data; CAGP data.

1These columns represent CAGP participants' Class of Admission when granted LPR status.
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Table 2: FY 2015 CAGP Services and Outcomes by Participant Characteristics

Number of 

CAGP 

participants

% of all CAGP 

participants

% receiving 

only 

citizenship 

instruction 

services

% receiving only 

naturalization 

application 

services

% receiving 

both citizenship 

instruction and 

naturalization 

application 

services

% with viable 

applications 

during FY 

2015 CAGP 

service period

% who 

naturalized 

based on 

viable 

application

Total 32,540 100.0% 27.6% 52.2% 20.1% 69.7% 64.0%

Region of birth

Asia 10,777 33.1% 25.4% 53.1% 21.5% 76.9% 70.6%

North America 6,300 19.4% 30.5% 49.3% 20.3% 58.9% 55.4%

South America 4,050 12.4% 35.5% 44.0% 20.6% 68.8% 62.9%

Caribbean 3,708 11.4% 31.0% 55.4% 13.6% 68.7% 61.7%

Africa 3,362 10.3% 18.3% 62.9% 18.8% 75.1% 67.7%

Central America 2,762 8.5% 31.8% 47.2% 21.1% 62.8% 58.3%

Europe 1,459 4.5% 16.2% 58.1% 25.7% 70.3% 65.8%

Unknown 71 0.2% 26.8% 50.7% 22.5% 28.2% 28.2%

Oceania 51 0.2% 7.8% 74.5% 17.6% 80.4% 78.4%

Class of Admission when granted LPR status

Immediate relatives of 10,230 U.S. citizens 31.4% 31.8% 46.3% 21.8% 65.0% 59.3%

Refugees and asylees 9,862 30.3% 24.1% 57.3% 18.6% 76.9% 70.3%

Family-sponsored 6,344 preferences 19.5% 28.6% 51.7% 19.7% 67.5% 61.6%

Other (Diversity visa, 

IRCA, parolees, 4,468 13.7% 23.2% 57.3% 19.4% 66.8% 62.6%

unknown, etc.)

Employment-based 1,636 preferences 5.0% 30.4% 47.4% 22.2% 72.2% 68.8%

2 Years in LPR status

3 years 2,381 7.5% 30.3% 50.1% 19.6% 71.0% 65.5%

4 years 4,914 15.4% 24.5% 55.0% 20.5% 79.9% 74.8%

5 years 4,707 14.8% 25.9% 50.5% 23.7% 79.2% 74.4%

6 years 3,885 12.2% 31.3% 45.9% 22.7% 74.2% 67.5%

7 years 2,095 6.6% 31.9% 46.8% 21.2% 68.9% 62.3%

8 years 1,557 4.9% 33.9% 43.9% 22.2% 65.0% 59.2%

9 years 1,976 6.2% 30.1% 48.1% 21.9% 68.4% 62.0%

10 to 19 years 6,327 19.8% 26.2% 55.6% 18.3% 63.9% 57.8%

20 years or more 3,936 12.3% 19.9% 65.2% 15.0% 61.3% 56.5%

Unknown 132 0.4% 34.1% 53.8% 12.1% 23.5% 3.0%

Source: USCIS Lawful Permanent Resident and naturalization data; CAGP data.

2The 'Years in LPR status' section of the table excludes 630 CAGP participants with less than 3 years in LPR status as of 2015.
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Table 3: FY 2015 CAGP Services and Outcomes by Participant Characteristics

Number of 

CAGP 

participants

% of all CAGP 

participants

% receiving 

only 

citizenship 

instruction 

services

% receiving only 

naturalization 

application 

services

% receiving 

both citizenship 

instruction and 

naturalization 

application 

services

% with viable 

applications 

during FY 

2015 CAGP 

service period

% who 

naturalized 

based on 

viable 

application

Total 32,540 100.0% 27.6% 52.2% 20.1% 69.7% 64.0%

Gender

Female 19,618 60.3% 30.2% 48.6% 21.3% 70.1% 64.6%

Male 12,893 39.6% 23.7% 57.8% 18.4% 69.3% 63.3%

Unknown 29 0.1% 27.6% 58.6% 13.8% 0.0% 0.0%

Marital status

Married 20,287 62.3% 30.7% 47.4% 22.0% 69.6% 63.8%

Single 7,700 23.7% 20.0% 65.2% 14.8% 66.2% 60.3%

Divorced 3,065 9.4% 27.9% 49.7% 22.4% 79.6% 76.4%

Widowed 1,297 4.0% 24.9% 57.1% 18.0% 74.2% 68.3%

Unknown 130 0.4% 26.2% 58.5% 15.4% 22.3% 1.5%

Separated 61 0.2% 24.6% 50.8% 24.6% 36.1% 29.5%

3 Age

18 to 24 years 2,710 8.3% 10.7% 76.6% 12.7% 80.4% 77.2%

25 to 34 years 6,334 19.5% 22.4% 59.5% 18.1% 76.2% 71.5%

35 to 44 years 7,244 22.3% 30.7% 46.6% 22.7% 70.3% 65.0%

45 to 54 years 7,118 21.9% 35.5% 42.0% 22.5% 65.2% 58.9%

55 to 64 years 5,159 15.9% 31.6% 46.8% 21.7% 65.0% 58.2%

65 years and over 3,866 11.9% 22.5% 59.8% 17.7% 66.8% 59.5%

Unknown 38 0.1% 36.8% 47.4% 15.8% 0.0% 0.0%

Occupation

Unknown 9,497 29.2% 29.9% 50.4% 19.6% 55.8% 50.0%

Service occupations 7,722 23.7% 28.2% 49.9% 21.8% 79.1% 73.5%

Unemployed 4,735 14.6% 24.1% 55.6% 20.3% 81.2% 74.0%

Homemakers 3,057 9.4% 35.7% 44.0% 20.3% 62.6% 56.8%

Production, 

transportation, and 

material moving 1,729 5.3% 25.0% 54.0% 20.9% 79.9% 75.6%

occupations

Students 1,617 5.0% 20.0% 65.9% 14.1% 53.9% 50.0%

Sales and office 

occupations 1,588 4.9% 23.0% 58.5% 18.5% 79.3% 75.3%

Retirees 993 3.1% 19.6% 61.6% 18.7% 85.3% 79.5%

Management, 

professional, and 761 2.3% 25.2% 54.5% 20.2% 74.2% 70.7%

related occupations

Construction, 

extraction, 

maintenance, and 668 2.1% 27.8% 49.9% 22.3% 74.3% 68.7%

repair occupations

Farming, fishing, and 

forestry occupations 163 0.5% 22.1% 50.9% 27.0% 48.5% 36.8%

Military 10 0.0% 10.0% 50.0% 40.0% 80.0% 80.0%

Source: USCIS Lawful Permanent Resident and naturalization data; CAGP data. 3The 'Age' section of the table excludes 71 CAGP participants who were less than 18 years old as of 2015.