SEATTLE–Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union said it is partnering with the City of Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA), to roll out two new Citizenship Loans to help immigrants and refugees finance their path to U.S. citizenship.
According to OIRA, there are currently more than 22,000 legal permanent residents (LPRs) in Seattle who are eligible to naturalize. More than half are low-income and unable to afford the current $680 application fee.
SMCU’s said its low-interest citizenship loans, Citizenship Express and Citizenship Plus, will cover the costs associated with the citizenship application process, ranging from $700 to $4,000. The two tiers give the flexibility to offer each applicant the best possible financing for their unique situation, the credit union said.
“Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union traces its roots back more than 80 years to its founding by City of Seattle employees. We have always been the city’s credit union, and have always been responsive to our city’s evolving community,” said Richard Romero, CEO of Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union, in a statement. “It is an honor to offer this opportunity that will make the dreams of American citizenship come true for so many.”