Lucy Floyd, director of the Immigration Service and Aid Center (ISAAC) in El Paso, began offering a citizenship class at the El Paso Baptist Association on Aug. 5, with eight weekly participants. A conversational English class started on Aug. 16 with about four weekly participants. Floyd said she first learned of similar classes from Claudia Jimenez, community outreach coordinator with the Office of El Paso County, which offers such classes to parents in the school district. Floyd said she checked with nearby schools before starting and that none were offering the classes.
Floyd said participants must answer the naturalization test questions and also read and write the test in English. The citizenship class studies about eight questions a week, using index cards provided by ISAAC. Students add each week's material to what they have already learned and take a short test at the end of each class. Participants who have filed their naturalization paperwork can also take a mock interview before their scheduled interview.
Floyd said the ministry has committed to holding the classes for the entire school year. She said she also shares the Christian gospel with participants when she has the opportunity. "[These ladies] just want to know that somebody cares," she said.