Congratulations on becoming an American Citizen!

RESOURCES FOR BEGINNING YOUR CIVIC LIFE IN THE UNITES STATES

Where do I start?

As an American, your vote gives you power. By casting your ballot, you help pick the people that write laws, raise taxes, investigate crimes, govern education, and so much more. People have sacrificed for this right, and the best way to protect it is simply by voting in every election.

1 - UPDATE your citizenship status with the Department of Transportation.

2 - UPDATE your citizenship status with the Social Security Office.

3 - CHECK your voter registration status.

4 - BRING photo id card to vote (tx drivers license, passport, gov’t id card, gun license).

5 - PLAN your vote by picking a voting center, reading about candidates, and showing up to cast your first ballot! Share your story with friends and family!

6 - NATURALIZE NOW HOUSTON provides free citizenship assistance for friends and loved ones.

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• Know Your Rights – Immigration and Border
• Conozca Sus Derechos en Texas (Español):  https://www.aclutx.org/en/know-your-rights/conozca-sus-derechos-en-texas
• Know Your Rights re SB 4 (English):  https://www.aclutx.org/en/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-under-texas-deportation-scheme-sb4
• Know Your Rights re Immigration Raids (English):  https://www.aclutx.org/en/know-your-rights/how-protect-yourself-during-immigration-raid
• Know Your Rights within 100 miles of the border (this may be applicable to the international airports in the future):  https://www.aclutx.org/en/know-your-rights/border-pocket-guide
• SB 4 Press Release/explainer on the preliminary injunction:  https://www.aclutx.org/en/press-releases/fifth-circuit-court-appeals-blocks-texas-extreme-anti-immigrant-law-going-effect

• Hospitals & Citizenship Questions
• Decline to Answer materials re the executive order for hospitals to ask patients about citizenship status:   https://linktr.ee/declinetoanswertx

• Education & Schools
• National Education Association's Guidance on Immigration Issues:  https://www.nea.org/resource-library/guidance-immigration-issues
• IDRA’s Education of Immigrant Children Toolkit:  https://www.idra.org/education_policy/immigrant-children-education/

• Family preparedness plans
• Examples:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lRYHDqgrLhQcL3jZVa-yDofeEv5Nk4Ny

• Other legal assistance resources for time-sensitive & specific concerns
• Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative (community hotline 1-833-468-4664 (HOU-IMMI)
• Texas Bar Lawyer Referral Service (click on “find a lawyer”) or call 1-877-9TEXBAR (toll free)
• Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid or call (833) 329-8752 
• Texas Access to Justice Commission (click on “find legal assistance”) or call 800-204-2222 ext. 2155
• Texas Law Help