Founded in 2008, the Washington New Americans (WNA) program is a non-profit collaboration between the State of Washington, The New Americans Campaign (NAC), the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and OneAmerica.
In partnership with local organizations, WNA has provided free and low-cost naturalization services across 12 counties and has helped more than 3,000 people successfully apply for their U.S citizenship in Washington State.
Citizenship provides individuals with the opportunity to fully engage in our communities, and strengthens their ability to shape their futures. The Washington New Americans program provides guidance for people navigate the journey towards citizenship successfully. By empowering individuals with these knowledge and resources, we help to create a stronger, more inclusive society.
Our work extends far beyond Citizenship Workshops. With the help of our affiliates, Washington New Americans provides a broad range of services to and for our community. Expand each of the sections below to learn more about the work we do.
The WNA program offers a hotline and text line available in 22 languages. We provide support with the naturalization process and help community members connect with the services they need. Call or text us at (206) 926-3924.
The WNA program is a leader in this field and, with the support of its affiliates, hosts multiple free and low-cost citizenship workshops each year in various locations across the state, including Seattle, Tacoma, Yakima, Vancouver, Bellingham, Wenatchee, Renton, Pasco, and more. The locations and dates vary, but we typically host events in September, October, March, April, and May.
Our workshops offer support for individuals with their naturalization applications. We also offer interpretation services to ensure attendees can access support in their native languages.
Our legal naturalization support is limited to these workshops. We do not offer one-on-one support, but we can connect clients with organizations that provide that type of service.
WNA runs its own Ambassador Program, empowering clients to participate throughout the entire naturalization journey. Many of our past clients volunteer at citizenship workshops and, over time, become ambassadors, playing a crucial role in outreach within our communities.
We work closely with our community to raise awareness of these services, their importance, and how to access them. We collaborate with local agencies, churches, libraries, and other organizations to promote and reach as many communities as possible.
The WNA subgrants over 60% of its annual funds to support a cohort of over 15 funded subcontractors in key areas of Washington to provide legal advice, form completion assistance, civics and English language classes, and community outreach. Additionally, we support these partners in seeking Department of Justice (DOJ) accreditation. While WNA focuses exclusively on naturalization, our partners also assist with green card, asylum, and humanitarian processes.
The WNA program, in association with Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS), serves as a co-site leader of the New Americans Campaign (NAC) table in Washington State. This nationwide cohort connects local organizations with resources, tools, and training, alongside other immigration service nonprofits across the U.S.
The WNA program also offers legal training to affiliates and local organizations in partnership with other agencies in the state. We support a network of attorneys and DOJ representatives in staying updated on the latest changes in immigration law. Additionally, we assist in developing the next generation of legal support staff for our local partners.
There are several ways to get involved with Washington New Americans! From volunteering at a citizenship workshop, to becoming a community ambassador, and more. Contact us to learn more about the breadth of opportunities we offer.
The WNA program offers vital services to our community; however, it is just one part of the broader efforts at OneAmerica to help our communities thrive in Washington State.
OneAmerica is a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to building power in immigrant and refugee communities. OneAmerica builds leadership and organizes grassroots leaders and our allies in Washington state to push for policy change, mobilize civic engagement in our communities and advocate for systems that welcome and include immigrants at every level.
Want to learn more about OneAmerica?
