For a citizenship for new Americans program to assist legal permanent residents of the commonwealth in becoming citizens of the United States; provided, that the office for refugees and immigrants shall administer the program; provided further, that the program funded under this item shall provide assistance to persons who are within 3 years of eligibility to become citizens of the United States; provided further, that services shall include: (i) English for Speakers of Other Languages/civics classes; (ii) citizenship application assistance; (iii) interview preparation; and (iv) support services including, but not limited to, interpretation and referral services; provided further, that persons who would qualify for benefits under
chapter 118A of the General Laws but for their status as legal noncitizens shall be given the highest priority for services; provided further, that persons who currently receive state--funded benefits that could be replaced in whole or in part by federally--funded benefits if those persons become citizens shall be given priority for services; provided further, that funds may be expended for the programmatic and administrative support of the office's refugee and immigrant services; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to Casa Dominicana Inc. to assist in ESL classes and additional programming for low--income adults; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Immigrants Assistance Center, Inc. in the city of New Bedford to provide citizenship and workforce readiness programming; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to Project Citizenship, Inc. for services for immigrants in the cities of Boston, Cambridge and Watertown and the town of Belmont; and provided further, that not less than $140,000 shall be expended to Friendly House, Inc. for the operation of the Office of New Americans in the city of Worcester
