RNC to Help Immigrants Prepare for Part of Naturalization Test

New U.S. citizens recite the Pledge of Allegiance during their naturalization ceremony at George Washingtons residence in Mount Vernon, Virginia, on July 4, 2022. Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

The Republican National Committee (RNC) announced on Thursday a new program to help immigrants prepare for the civics section of the naturalization test that is part of the process of legally obtaining U.S. citizenship.

The initiative is the latest in the committee’s efforts to reach out to potential future voters ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

Dubbed the “Republican Civics Initiative,” permanent legal residents seeking citizenship will be offered a 10-hour course divided into four sections.

“Lawful permanent residents will learn basic U.S. civics and history based on questions that could appear on the civics portion of the naturalization test like ‘When was the Declaration of Independence signed?’ and ‘How many branches of government are there?’” reads a press release from the RNC.

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said the committee is growing the Republican Party “through purposeful education and engagement.”

Chair of the Republican National Committee Ronna McDaniel addressing the Republican National Convention at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, on Aug. 24, 2020. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

“Our commitment to provide opportunities for all to live out the American dream is broadening our base because our ideas transcend all backgrounds,” she said in a statement.

“Unlike Democrats, Republicans do not take minority communities for granted and we will continue to work to earn each vote ahead of November.”

Civics Curriculum

Training materials in the program are adapted from the civics curriculum of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). RNC staff who have received certification to be USCIS instructors will administer the course.

“In addition to working with USCIS, the RNC will be working with nonprofits across the country, including Civics Fundamentals, as it delivers the civics curriculum,” the RNC announced.

The first of the training courses was held on Thursday at the RNC Hispanic Community Center in Doral, Florida.

More training courses will be held in battleground states ahead of the midterms, including in “Texas, Georgia, Nevada, California, Pennsylvania and more.”

According to the RNC, as of January 2021, there are more than 9.2 million lawful permanent residents in the United States who are eligible to become citizens.