Big Citizens Do Big Citizenship
Summary
In 2025, Welcome.US committed to mobilize 8,000 Americans to serve as volunteer Citizen Guides to support 50,000 newcomers–including refugees, asylees, and lawful permanent residents–in completing the naturalization process over the next two years. This commitment will create a new on-ramp for civic engagement by equipping volunteers to help newcomers study for the English and civics exams, complete application paperwork, and navigate the journey to citizenship. Welcome.US will launch a national campaign to recruit and train volunteers and expand its existing Welcome Connect digital platform and network of community organizations to match Citizen Guides with newcomers seeking support. Guides will be equipped with resources, including study guides and training on cultural bridging, legal information protocols, fundraising guidance, and communication tools. Volunteer-mentee pairs will be supported through to their local naturalization ceremonies, creating a shared civic experience that strengthens social bonds and national identity.
Approach
Welcome.US commits to mobilizing Americans to serve as volunteer “Citizen Guides” to support 50,000 newcomers- including refugees, asylees, and lawful permanent residents–in completing the naturalization process. This commitment will create a new on-ramp for civic engagement by equipping volunteers to help newcomers study for the English and civics exams, complete application paperwork, and navigate the journey to citizenship. The program is designed to remove barriers for both the aspiring citizen and the American volunteer by providing accessible tools, clear guidance, and structured community support.
Welcome.US will launch a national campaign to recruit and train 8,000 volunteers, extending its existing Welcome Connect digital platform and network of community organizations. Citizen Guides will receive training materials and user-friendly resources, including study guides and training on cultural bridging, legal information protocols, fundraising guidance, and communication tools. Volunteer-mentee pairs will be supported through to their local naturalization ceremonies, creating a shared civic experience that strengthens social bonds and national identity. Storytelling will share their journeys and learning with other Americans and newcomers, inspiring more to join and reinvigorating pride in the United States’ founding ideals and common values.
Welcome.US will leverage its existing network of over 200 partner organizations and 2 million Americans already engaged in welcoming newcomers. These partners, including faith communities, veterans’ organizations, service groups, and local nonprofits, will help recruit volunteers and connect the program to communities most in need. The initiative will also include partnerships with organizations that work directly with newcomers, to help identify mentees and provide localized support.
Welcome.US brings deep expertise in volunteer mobilization, community storytelling, digital product development, and partnership coordination. The organization will also activate pro bono support from creative and technology partners to expand campaign reach, build engagement tools, and produce inspiring narratives that reinforce the spirit of civic renewal.
Action Plan
The Big Citizenship initiative will launch in September 2025, timed to align with the lead-up to America’s 250th anniversary in July 2026.
In the first month, Welcome.US will initiate campaign development with a creative agency, finalize initial partner agreements, begin scoping enhancements to its existing digital platform, and develop or adapt guidance materials for Citizen Guides. Welcome.US will identify the first round of community organizations and newcomer-serving partners for local implementation.
By December 2025, the public campaign will launch nationally with the goal of recruiting the first cohort of Citizen Guides. In parallel, the platform extension will be completed to enable online matching and communication between volunteers and newcomers. Core training materials and support resources will be produced and distributed by January 2026, including citizenship test prep guides and orientation materials for volunteers and mentees.
From January through April 2026, the program will scale, with Citizen Guide and newcomer pairs engaging in the naturalization process across selected pilot communities. Local naturalization ceremonies will begin incorporating these pairs, with coordinated media storytelling to amplify impact. During this time, Welcome.US will also provide microgrants to partner organizations supporting newcomer outreach and training.
From May through July 2026, the initiative will culminate in a national campaign moment tied to the 250th anniversary, including celebratory naturalization ceremonies co-hosted with More Perfect and Presidential Centers. Final outputs will include stories from participants, lessons from implementation, and a roadmap for broader replication.
Throughout the first 12-month period, Welcome.US will conduct data collection and impact monitoring, including metrics on volunteer engagement, newcomer outcomes, and shifts in civic perception. By July 2026, the initiative will have demonstrated a replicable model for linking civic service with immigrant inclusion at scale, which will continue through the duration of the project into 2027 and beyond.
Background
Across the United States, millions of newcomers—including refugees, asylees, and lawful permanent residents—are building lives, raising families, and contributing to their communities. Many are working towards becoming U.S. citizens, whether that means securing a green card, meeting residency requirements, or navigating the complex naturalization process itself. At every stage, they face significant barriers: limited English proficiency, unfamiliar legal systems, a civic knowledge requirement, and fees ranging from $380 to $760. Without support, millions remain excluded from full civic and economic participation and the vital protections that citizenship offers.
At the same time, many Americans are eager to contribute meaningfully to their communities. Despite political polarization, there is strong public support for inclusion and civic renewal. According to 2024 research from More in Common, 80 percent of Americans believe the country’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and 75 percent of Republicans agree that properly controlled immigration can be beneficial to the United States. However, individuals often report difficulty finding accessible, values-aligned ways to engage in civic life.
This commitment seeks to address the parallel challenges of stalled naturalization for newcomers and the underutilization of civic spirit among Americans. It aims to connect these two needs by creating a national platform for volunteer engagement that supports aspiring citizens through the naturalization process. By helping newcomers navigate their path to citizenship and inviting Americans to serve as mentors and guides, this effort addresses systemic barriers while strengthening civic bonds. As the country approaches its 250th anniversary, there is a powerful opportunity to reaffirm the founding ideals of the nation—freedom, opportunity, and shared responsibility—by transforming how Americans support and welcome their newest citizens.
Progress Update
Partnership Opportunities
Welcome.US is seeking partners and resources to support the successful implementation and scale of the Big Citizenship initiative. The organization is looking for local, state, and national organizations that can help recruit and train volunteers to serve as Citizen Guides, as well as partners that can engage newcomers eligible for naturalization. Media partners are sought to amplify storytelling and help normalize citizenship as an act of civic renewal. Technology partners are needed to refine and expand the digital matching platform, and funders are invited to support grants to community-based organizations that are helping newcomers navigate the naturalization process. Welcome.US also seeks public and private institutions that can co-host or participate in naturalization ceremonies to celebrate new citizens and inspire further civic engagement.,Welcome.US offers partners the opportunity to engage in a national effort that connects civic service with the successful integration of newcomers on their path to citizenship. As part of this initiative, Welcome.US will provide programmatic expertise, best practices in volunteer recruitment and training, a digital platform to match volunteers with newcomers, and tested messaging frameworks that build public support across diverse communities. The organization will share its research-driven audience insights, volunteer engagement models, and storytelling approaches to help partners inspire, mobilize, and retain participants in the Big Citizenship program. Additionally, Welcome.US will facilitate a community of practice, offering peer learning and implementation support to organizations interested in replicating or adapting this model within their own communities.