These trainings help to raise awareness of the immigration and citizenship process and inform service providers about legal issues and eligibility requirements that impact aspiring U.S. citizens who are also their service clients.

For more information or to schedule a training session please contact HIAS Immigration & Citizenship at 312.357.4666 or email HiasChicago@jcfs.org.

Citizen Application Assistance by Appointment

For personal, individual assistance with your citizenship application, you can schedule an in-office appointment at a time and location that is convenient for you. Simply contact our main phone number: 312.357.4666.

U.S. Citizenship

Becoming a U.S. citizen provides you with the opportunity to fully participate in American life.

Services include:

N-400, Application for Naturalization

Submit form N-400, Application for Naturalization, to apply for U.S. Citizenship.

Eligibility criteria to become a citizenship is listed here.

N-600, Application for Citizenship Certificate

Children of naturalized parents who were under the age of 18 at the time of their parents’ naturalization automatically derive U.S. citizenship through their parents’ naturalization. We recommend that each child of naturalized parents apply for a Certificate of Citizenship as permanent documentation of their citizenship status.

N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document

Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, can be used to apply for a replacement of a Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Declaration of Intention or Repatriation Certificate; or to apply for a special certificate of naturalization to be recognized as a U.S. citizen by a foreign country.

N-648,Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions (Medical Disability Waiver)

Applicants who are unable to learn or demonstrate knowledge of basic English, history and civics due to a documented medical disability, may apply for a waiver for these citizenship requirements.

I-912, Request for Fee Waiver

You may request a fee waiver if your documented annual household income is at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) or if you can demonstrate financial hardship including, but not limited to, medical expenses of family members, unemployment, eviction, victimization, and homelessness. You can find the list of applications and petitions that are eligible. Supporting documentation is required.

The eight-week classes are taught in small groups to allow for more individualized attention and help to overcome language barriers. In addition to helping you prepare for the test on U.S. civics and history and the written dictated sentence, all classes provide training for the USCIS interview.

Interested In Attending Class?

Contact HIAS Immigration & Citizenship at 312.357.4666 or email Jessica Schaffer, Director.
You can also obtain more information at citizenshiphelp.wordpress.com.

Individual Bilingual Intensive Tutorial Program

One-on-one home-based citizenship preparation assistance is available for those who are unable to participate in citizenship group classes. This nine-week intensive program pairs our clients with special needs as well as those with limited English with trained bilingual volunteers.

This individualized, intensive program fosters lasting relationships between students and tutors and, in addition to being highly successful in preparing the student to pass the citizenship test and interview, proves to be an extremely gratifying cross-cultural and cross-generational experience for all involved.

Mock Interview Program

Anyone applying for citizenship through HIAS Immigration & Citizenship may participate in a mock interview. A carefully trained volunteer will meet with you and conduct a practice interview, to allow you to go through the process in a formal, yet safe environment. You will then receive valuable feedback on your performance and have an opportunity to prepare further for the interview if necessary. Additional preparation and supportive services are provided and a second practice interview may be conducted. This program has proven to be extremely valuable to those interested in becoming more familiar with the citizenship test and interview process before they are actually scheduled at USCIS.

Self-Study Materials

Each HIAS Immigration & Citizenship citizenship applicant is offered extensive self-study materials for the citizenship test and interview.

A new citizenship preparation CD and manual, “Preparing for Citizenship", is available for purchase. It incorporates both the English and civics testing materials as well as interview practice material based on the N-400 application. Please contact HIAS Immigration & Citizenship at 312.357.4666 to purchase a CD and manual.

Drop-In Citizenship Interview Practice & Immigration Information Table
(In partnership with the Skokie Public Library; starting in January 2026)

Citizenship Interview Practice
During your citizenship interview, an immigration officer will ask you about your application and background. You will also need to take an English and civics test. Drop in for one-on-one practice to help you prepare for the interview. Please bring your completed N-400 application, if you have one. 

Path to Citizenship
In partnership with Arlington Heights Memorial Library, St. Charles Public Library and Palatine Library District.

Learn about the journey from permanent resident (Green Card holder) to U.S. citizen. Information about eligibility, N-400 applications, exceptions, fees, the interview and oath ceremony will be shared. Presentation followed by Q&A

Prepare to Become a U.S. Citizen
In partnership with Arlington Heights Memorial Library, St. Charles Public Library and Palatine Library District.

Prepare for your citizenship test in small, online group classes. Content includes speaking, reading and writing English, along with U.S. history and civics.

For more information, contact Fatima Rasoul, HIAS Community Engagement Specialist at 847.745.5431.

HIAS Immigration & Citizenship staff assists individuals who are eligible for these funds complete the required applications and gather the required documentation of their suffering at the hands of the Nazis. Survivors can be compensated for a variety of losses including bank accounts, insurance policies, art and the loss of their labor without compensation. 

For a complete listing of programs available to Holocaust survivors and more detailed explanation of the criteria for the programs mentioned above, visit claimscon.org.

For assistance in English or Russian, please contact HIAS Immigration & Citizenship at 312.357.4666.

Для получения информации на русском языке или записи на прием, пожалуйста, свяжитесь с  HIAS Immigration & Citizenship по телефону 312.357.4666.

We can help you:

• Determine eligibility for initial and/or renewal DACA applications
• Prepare documents, petitions, and applications required by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service
• Work with consular authorities and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service

You can find more information about upcoming DACA programs here.

At this time, we have scholarships available to partially offset the cost of the renewal filing fee. Call HIAS Immigration & Citizenship at 312.357.4666 for more information and to schedule an appointment.

Lawful permanent residency is a mandatory prerequisite to U.S. citizenship. HIAS Immigration & Citizenship staff will assist you in determining whether you meet the eligibility criteria and if you do, will assist you in completing the permanent residence (otherwise known as Green Card) application, translate all related documents and file your application in compliance with standards set forth by the Immigration Service.

HIAS Immigration & Citizenship can assist with:

• I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
• I-485, Application to Adjust Status
• I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence

I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)

This application is used by lawful permanent residents to apply for replacement or renewal of existing Permanent Resident Cards.

I-485, Application to Adjust Status

If you were lawfully admitted into and currently live in the United States, you may be eligible to adjust status to lawful permanent resident. Specific eligibility criteria must be met. Contact HIAS Immigration & Citizenship for an assessment: 312.357.4666.

I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence

This form is used by conditional permanent residents who obtained status through marriage and want to apply to remove the conditions on their permanent resident status.

Our staff help clients file:

• I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
• I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
• I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition

I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)

File Form I-129F if you are a U.S. citizen and want to bring your fiancé(e) and their children to the United States so you can marry. You must show that: i) you intend to marry your finance(e) within 90 days of them entering the United States; ii) you and your finance(e) are both free to marry and any previous marriages have been legally terminated by divorce, death or annulment; and iii) you met each other, in person, at least once within 2 years of filing your petition.

I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

This form can be used by U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPR) who seek to bring a relative to the United States. Filing an I-130 is only the first step in helping an eligible relative immigrate.

The filing or approval of this petition generally does not give your relative any status in the United States.If the petition is approved, your relative may apply to become a LPR. Certain relatives must wait until there is a visa number available before they can do so.Typically, relatives physically present in the United States may apply with USCIS by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Typically, relatives who reside outside the United States may apply for a visa with the U.S. Department of State.

I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition

If you have been admitted to the United States as a refugee or if you were granted status in the United States as an asylee within the previous two years, you may be eligible to file a Form I-730 to request that your spouse and/or unmarried children under 21 years of age join you in the U.S.

For more information, contact HIAS at 312.357.4666

Service areas include:

• Naturalization applications
• Medical disability waivers
• Interpreter assistance for the disabled
• Advocacy and Problem Solving with the Citizenship and Immigration Service

HIAS Chicago recommends that immigrants of all ages apply to become U.S. citizens as soon as they are eligible. Becoming a U.S. citizen provides you with the opportunity to fully participate in American life. Some of the benefits with U.S. citizenship:

• Travel outside the U.S.
• Opportunity to bring immediate relatives to resettle in the U.S.
• Vote in local and national elections
• Access to certain public benefits
• May apply for certain government job
• The only absolute protection against deportation

To become a citizen:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a United States citizen)
• Able to demonstrate (NEED LINK FOR MEDICAL DISABILITY WAIVER) that you can read, write, speak and understand basic English
• Be of good moral character 


HIAS Immigration & Citizenship’s application services are tailored to meet the needs of each age group and geographic location, providing access to professionally trained, bilingual staff throughout the community, who will assist you in evaluating your eligibility and in completing and processing the necessary documents for application.

N-600 Application for Citizenship Certificate

Children of naturalized parents, who were under the age of 18 at the time of their parents’ naturalization, automatically derive U.S. citizenship through their parents’ naturalization. HIAS Immigration & Citizenship recommends that in addition to obtaining a U.S. passport, each child of naturalized parents apply for a Certificate of Citizenship as permanent documentation of their citizenship status. HIAS Immigration & Citizenship can assist you in applying for a Certificate of Citizenship.

Medical Disability Waiver Assistance

Those applicants who are unable to learn or demonstrate knowledge of basic English and history and civics, due to a documented medical disability, may apply for a waiver of these citizenship requirements. 

To address the needs of those who are a part of this population, HIAS Immigration & Citizenship offers clients and their family members guidance on their disability waiver applications, consultation between HIAS Immigration & Citizenship staff and their medical doctor about the criteria utilized by the Immigration Service to be included in their waiver application, and a practice review of the contents and questions which may be posed to them at their citizenship exam.

Interpreter Assistance at the Citizenship Interview

For those HIAS Immigration & Citizenship citizenship applicants who have applied for citizenship with a medical disability waiver, a HIAS Immigration & Citizenship citizenship staff member is available to accompany the client to the citizenship interview and provide interpreter services; and when necessary, to provide advocacy on behalf of the client with immigration adjudicators and supervisors.

Advocacy and Problem Solving with the Citizenship and Immigration Service

Through its strong, working relationship with the Immigration Service, HIAS Immigration & Citizenship assists its clients by formally inquiring about the status of their citizenship applications. In addition, HIAS Immigration & Citizenship advocates on behalf of clients to resolve problem situations during the application or interview process. This work involves regular written and phone contact with the local Immigration Office, or written inquiries to the appropriate processing center. 

In addition, HIAS Immigration & Citizenship, along with partnering community-based agencies, meets regularly with the Immigration Service to discuss overall issues related to the processing and adjudication of benefits.