This digital toolkit offers ways to uplift our network and partners’ citizenship day activities throughout the month of September. Together, we hope to encourage eligible lawful permanent residents to take the final step on their immigration journey by highlighting the benefits of citizenship. In this toolkit you will find:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WRFxtBkYto53kj2Y_IC1l-3I1P0w0VK3of1AhImC9tM/edit?tab=t.0
I. Background and Messaging
Wednesday, September 17th, 2025 is Citizenship Day, but National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) and Cities & Counties for Citizenship (CC4C) are taking it a step further and proclaiming the month of September to be “Citizenship Month”. A month to celebrate new Americans who have taken the step to become U.S citizens, encourage eligible immigrants to become U.S. citizens, and celebrate what it means to be a U.S. citizen in a multiethnic, multicultural democracy.
Promoting Citizenship in this Moment
It is not an ordinary time and we fully acknowledge the grave threats facing immigrant communities across the nation. At the same time, we believe it’s important for organizations to continue to encourage eligible residents to become citizens as this continues to be the strongest protection from deportation. Below we offer ways to hold these two truths in a way that shows unity and solidarity.
Necessary precautions, increase screening & preparation support for LPRs
- Access Trusted Legal Support: It is more important than ever for people to consult with an attorney or a DOJ Accredited Representative before submitting their application for naturalization. Find a trusted legal service provider here: https://readytostay.org/find-help
- Assess Risks: Check out this resource which offers tips on risk assessment for naturalization applicants
- Knowledge is Power:
- Stay up to date in the event of changes to the naturalization test. While it has been announced that these may change although no further details or dates have been announced.
- Know the latest changes to the process/ eligibility. Ex: Recent announcement of new criteria for determining “good moral character.”
- Check out this explainer put together by NPNA and partners on denaturalization for practitioners and stay up to date on the latest developments
We advocate to protect our communities and to protect citizenship
- An injury to immigrants of any status is an injury to all of us. Let’s ensure that in our messaging we are not differentiating between protection for those who have lawful pathways and those who don’t.
- Citizenship itself has been and will likely continue to be under threat and we must continue to advocate to keep it as accessible as possible.
Encouraging those eligible to naturalize to seek a trusted provider for legal services and support
In this rapidly changing policy landscape, the evergreen call for permanent protections is more important than ever. Citizenship remains an important way to attain permanent status for those who are eligible. Here are some of the benefits to uplift at this time:
- Right to vote
- US passport allows you to travel and return more safely
- Adjust status for family members
- Likelihood to increase annual earnings
II. How to engage in Citizenship Day 2025
On September 17, 2025 the nation observes citizenship and constitution day- a day that immigrant rights advocates have adopted to uplift a unified rallying call to action for the more than 9 million people eligible to naturalize across the nation.
We hope your organization will join us- especially if you have upcoming naturalization events, ongoing classes, or citizenship clinics.
Here are 3 ways to participate:
- Share our “Call to Naturalize [English | Spanish Subs HERE]” video on your social media on Wednesday September 17, 2025 and join dozens of other organizations as we create momentum on socials to reach a wide range of community members with this important message.
- Re-post [Instagram | Twitter | BlueSky]
Sample caption to accompany video post:
Today on #CitizenshipDay2025 we recognize that naturalization is more than a status change; it is a declaration of belonging. It ensures that our communities are not just spoken about, but are the ones speaking, deciding, and shaping the future. YOUR ORG NAME is proud to join @npnewamericans on this national day of action as we stand united to #ProtectCitizenship and support community members on their journey to naturalization.
ADD INFO HERE ABOUT AN UPCOMING CITIZENSHIP EVENT OR CLASSES / PROGRAMMING HELD BY YOUR ORG OR LOCAL PARTNERS OR OTHER CALL TO ACTION THAT BRINGS PEOPLE INTO YOUR WORK.
- Holding a naturalization event and sharing on social media? Be sure to tag @npnewamericans so that we can uplift.
- Post and share digital content from this toolkit (see next section) all month long!
About Citizenship Day
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WRFxtBkYto53kj2Y_IC1l-3I1P0w0VK3of1AhImC9tM/edit?tab=t.0
