Federal Grant to Support BACI Civic Education and Naturalization Services
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) grant will help BACI’s Educational Programs to train 500 Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) in English, U.S. History and Civics as well as assist them in becoming Naturalized and Civically Engaged Citizens.
INDIANAPOLIS, October 1, 2019 — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded a grant in the amount of $225,000 to Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) to assist newcomers in becoming integrated and successful citizens.
“I am extremely pleased that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has awarded a grant to the Burmese American Community Institute, Inc. to help legal permanent residents as they embark on the journey to become U.S. citizens,” said Congressman André Carson (IN-7). “This path is neither easy nor short, and with this much-needed funding boost, Central Indiana residents will be better supported as they fulfill their American dream. I will continue to work with BACI and other refugee assistance organizations in these important efforts.”
America: Land of the Free, Home of the Brave. Many refugees, who flee from the dangers of their homeland, risk their lives to enter the United States in hope of a better future. The United States, known for being the world leader in responding to emerging global issues, including providing refugee protection and humanitarian assistance, has welcomed more than 3.4 million immigrants with open arms since 1975. More than 177,600 Burmese refugees have been admitted to the U.S. since 2000; more than 32,000 Burmese reside in Indiana and approximately 21,600 call Indianapolis their new home.
Elaisa Vahnie, Executive Director of the BACI, said the community always appreciates the opportunity to start their new lives in America.
“We are grateful for the U.S. leadership in welcoming newcomers from around the world,” said Mr. Vahnie, who also serves as Principal Investigator of the project. “While we hope that the U.S. will continue to uphold its tradition and value of extending its helping hand to the helpless through thoughtful policy formulation and humanitarian legal protection, we remain committed to strengthening and expanding our services and reach by collaboratively working with our national and state leaders, and with our local partners, fully understanding our obligations to ensure newcomers are becoming economically self-sufficient, integrated, and productive citizens of the society. And this grant will help us achieve these goals.”
Empowering new Americans with security in their rights and liberties by providing English and Citizenship instruction, including rights and responsibilities education, along with Green Card and Citizenship application assistance, BACI has served more than 4,000 newcomers through its Civic and Cultural Education Program (CCEP) in collaboration with its partners.
Through a continued collaborative partnership between the IU McKinney School of Law and the BACI, J.D. students, serving as pro bono volunteers, are involved in teaching citizenship classes and providing naturalization assistance for LPRs who wish to become naturalized citizens under the supervision of the BACI Staff Attorney.
“BACI is a unique organization striving to help newcomers integrate into American society. The service-learning project with BACI allowed our students to view their education beyond the need for a career and a profession to understanding their place in society and responsibility to the community. It is particularly hard for students studying macro level subjects like international relations to see the link between their major and the local community. Service learning allows students to make that necessary link between local and global,” said Dr. Jyotika Saksena, Associate Professor and Graduate Director of the International Relations Program, Department of History and Political Science, at the University of Indianapolis whose class has been working with BACI.
With a rapidly growing newcomer and international population in Central Indiana, the community has been challenged to meet the increasing demand for immigration and naturalization assistance in recent years. In FY2018 alone, the BACI assisted 1092 refugees with various immigration needs and, of those, 527 individuals successfully completed their naturalization applications (N-400).
Emphasizing the power of collaboration and the importance of becoming integrated and contributing citizens of the society, BACI Board Member Dr. Bruce Ray said, “We are thankful for the great support of our partners, such as IU McKinney School of Law, UIndy and others who have been supporting our work that positively impacts our shared community in multiple ways.”
The BACI’s Civic and Cultural Education Program (CCEP) empowers new Americans with security in their rights and liberties by holding immigration information sessions in partnership with USCIS, in addition to providing English and civic education and naturalization services, and by encouraging community members to be active and engaged citizens.
Reflective of the need for a unique and multi-faceted approach, with a vision of education for all, a stronger community, BACI also promotes a greater understanding among incoming and receiving communities, and advocates for cohesive, vibrant, and integrated communities at several levels by engaging with stakeholders and policymakers in partnership with educational institutions, businesses and service providers.
About BACI
The Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) is a non-profit organization founded in 2011 that provides educational and vocational support to the Burmese community in greater Indianapolis. The BACI also supports community members regionally, nationally, and globally through new initiatives, collaborative and strategic partnerships, and advocacy.
