The County of Santa Clara established its unique Citizenship Initiative in 1996 with the twin goals of empowering low-income legal immigrants and re-establishing eligibility for the safety net for legal immigrants taken away through federal welfare reform. In the past five years, collaborating community-based organizations have assisted over 16,000 low-income legal immigrants with their citizenship applications.

Recognizing many acute additional needs of immigrants—who constitute one third of the County population—culminated in the program’s Summit on Immigrant Needs and Contributions in December 2000. Hundreds of recommendations were made and several important initiatives are now being carried out, including the establishment of an ESL website (Immigrantinfo.org), immigrant leadership classes, immigrant community education, and diversity training regarding immigrants. This latter effort includes KIN of Santa Clara County (Knowledge of Immigrant Nationalities), a vital community resource on the history, cultural background, and conditions of life of the 16 “largest and neediest” immigrant groups in Santa Clara County.

For more information call 408-792-2300

Please visit the Office of Human Relations website to obtain updated information on the Citizenship & Immigration Services Programs.

You can view the Knowledge of Immigrant Nationalities and Immigrant Rights and the Responsibilities Resources Guidebook of Santa Clara County (IRRG) by clicking on the links below.

• Knowledge of Immigrant Nationalities of Santa Clara County (KIN)
• Immigrant Rights, Responsibilities and Resources Guidebook of Santa Clara County (IRRG)
• Office of Human Relations