Read more about Evansville’s international community in the January/February 2025 feature story.
Many immigrants’ paths to U.S. citizenship include obstacles, no matter who they are or where they came from. That said, Evansville organizations are working to make the process easier.
Ivy Tech Community College Evansville offers a free 12-week non-credit program starting in January, U.S. Citizenship Education Training. A $1,500 donation from Circle of Ivy, a women’s philanthropy network serving Ivy Tech, made the class possible. Sagrario’s Joy, a local organization dedicated to improving the lives of immigrants, will teach the course. In the class, legal permanent residents study civics, plus English reading and writing, and practice for their interviews.
The Immigrant Welcome & Resource Center, Haitian Center of Evansville, and Catholic Charities Diocese of Evansville also provide immigration legal support and assistance.
The U.S. Customs and Immigration Service field office in Indianapolis conducts the interviews, which require interviewees demonstrate comprehension of English reading, writing, and speaking. Interviewees also must complete a civics test with questions about U.S. government and history.
Once the USCIS delivers an N-445, or Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony, there are two places Evansville residents can go to make things official. U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana holds two naturalization ceremonies per month. These ceremonies typically take place at the Indiana War Memorial in Indianapolis. USCIS’ also holds ceremonies at its Indianapolis field office.
