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Council considers formal backstop to Path to Citizenship program, adding up to $20,000 annually
Summary
Staff proposed amending Path to Citizenship program guidelines to commit the city to provide up to $20,000 per year as a backstop if grants and donations do not cover cohort costs; partners include Catholic Community Services, Weber County Library and My Hometown Ogden.
Ogden staff and councilors discussed an amendment to the Path to Citizenship program guidelines on June 16 that would commit the city to provide up to $20,000 per year as a funding backstop if grants and donations are not available. The program partners include Catholic Community Services, Weber County Library systems and My Hometown Ogden.
Staff recounted the program timeline: pilot start in 2023, council adoption of guidelines in January 2025, and recent cohort activity. Administration reported capacity to process one cohort per year (roughly 20 applicants) at an average per‑applicant cost of about $1,000. Staff provided recent results: 44 applicants in 2026 overall, 18 people naturalized in 2025 and several pending ceremonies as of May/June 2026.
Diana Lopez, who sponsored the council initiative, told the council the program has had tangible personal impact: graduates and their families reported pride and community connections at a recent ceremony. Council members asked about scalability and whether the guideline language allows the program to expand if partner organizations increase capacity. Staff said the guidelines set a public commitment but that additional cohorts would require budget appropriations or additional donations; the program can carry forward unused funds.
Council members expressed unanimous support for the program and asked staff to continue pursuing partner donations and grant funding while the guideline amendment provides a municipal backstop to preserve at least one cohort annually.
No formal ordinance was introduced in the work session; staff said the guideline language would be returned for final placement and budget adjustments as needed.
