Pima College marks 25 years of free citizenship classes with 95% success
For over 25 years, Pima Community College has offered free citizenship classes, equipping thousands of residents with the knowledge and skills to successfully complete the naturalization process.

For more than 25 years, Pima Community College has been providing free classes to assist residents in the complex process of becoming a U.S. citizen.
The program’s goal is to equip students with the knowledge they need to successfully complete the naturalization process, PCC spokesman Justin Kree told Tucson Spotlight.
About 95% of people who take the classes successfully complete their naturalization interview.
The citizenship preparation classes are open to those who have begun the naturalization process or are close to meeting all legal requirements.
Requirements include being at least 18 years old at the time of filing; residing in both the U.S. and the state where the person intends to apply for a specified period of time; demonstrating good moral character and the ability to read, write and speak basic English; and passing a test on U.S. history and government.
The program is run entirely by trained volunteer instructors who donate their time and expertise. This model helps keep the program entirely free of charge for participants, Kree said. While the volunteers handle instruction, PCC provides managerial oversight of the program.
Classes are taught year round, with sessions beginning in January, March, June and September. Each session lasts eight weeks and meets one day per week. There are in-person and virtual options offered during both daytime and evening hours.
With an average of eight to 10 students in each class, the program has helped thousands over the past 25 years, serving upwards of 400 students each year since 2022, according to Kree.
“Pima’s classes were a great experience,” Lorena Carrion Alfonso, who became a U.S. citizen in 2022, wrote in a testimonial on the program’s website.

When students are ready to apply for citizenship, PCC can refer them to its partner agency, Catholic Community Services, which will assist in the process for a $50 fee, which is much less than the $1,200 to $1,500 many attorneys charge, according to Pima’s website.
Demand for the classes has remained steady despite shifts in national immigration policies over the years, Kree said, adding that PCC has weathered changes in federal administration, policy and procedure.
While many aspects of immigration law and naturalization processes have evolved during that time, the program’s mission to help lawful permanent residents prepare for citizenship has remained unchanged, Kree said.
And despite uncertainty surrounding potential changes to the immigration and citizenship process, Kree said that when it comes to these classes, PCC’s plans have not changed.
“It is still very early in this new administration, but we anticipate that we will continue to provide these volunteer-taught classes to help lawful permanent residents prepare for the citizenship process,” Kree said.
The program’s impact extends beyond the classroom, fostering a sense of empowerment and opportunity for participants, Kree said.
The January session is already underway, but people interested in enrolling in the next round can call 520-206-7330. Registration forms can be found online at Pima.edu or in-person at any campus Adult Basic Education for College and Career Adult Learning Center. Additional naturalization information can be found online at USCIS.gov.
Matthew Lewis is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact him at mclewis95@arizona.edu.
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