SALT LAKE CITY — Utah officials are hoping to bolster the number of Americans in the state, tapping the pool of immigrants living here.

As part of an effort dubbed the Utah Citizenship Initiative, the Center for Global Talent and New Americans will encourage the state's contingent of lawful permanent residents to pursue U.S. citizenship. Some 80,000 immigrants legally reside in Utah, and state officials estimate that 60,000 of them are currently eligible to pursue citizenship.

"Everyone can agree that having people address their status and become naturalized U.S. citizens is a win-win, both for immigrants who are eligible but also for our communities across the state," said Natalie El-Deiry, director of the center, which is part of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. Research shows that immigrants who take the step to become citizens "are more likely to become homeowners, to start businesses, to advance or upskill in their careers."

Moreover, she said, naturalized citizens can vote in elections, tap into certain benefits and receive certain protections from the U.S. government that aren't available to immigrants.

The planned effort comes as the debate over immigration, particularly illegal immigration, reaches a crescendo. El-Deiry, though, thinks the varied sides of the divisive issue can find common ground in promoting U.S. citizenship.

Most people, El-Deiry thinks, would agree "that we would want people to become naturalized U.S. citizens, to continue to contribute to our communities and to our economy." The initiative, set to launch next month and last a year, isn't geared to immigrants living here illegally.

A key element of the Utah Citizenship Initiative will be reaching out to immigrants outside of Salt Lake County, where classes and other resources to promote citizenship are already robust. To that end, El-Deiry envisions those involved in the program partnering with nonprofit organizations, legal aid providers and other organizations in places like Cedar City and Grand, Utah, Weber and Cache counties.

El-Deiry also hopes to recruit partners from business, industry and faith-based communities. Making information readily available about resources and programs that can help with naturalization will be another key element of the effort, perhaps through "citizenship clinics," a website and other resource hubs.

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Real Salt Lake is a "community partner," El-Deiry said, and hosted a naturalization ceremony last week at its stadium in Sandy, when preliminary details of the effort were unveiled. The soccer team got involved, said Kyle Schroeder, the Real Salt Lake director of community engagement, stemming from the organization's mission of "bringing the community together" and the "global" aspect of soccer, as exemplified by the team's players, fans and staff.

"We recognize immigrants' and refugees' incredible contributions to our great state and to our family. Telling the history of the club would be impossible without the contributions of people from here and abroad," he said. "Our goal as an organization is not only to win championships but to strengthen the fabric of our community by uplifting all people and being drivers for positive social change."

Schroeder said the key to encouraging immigrants who are eligible to pursue citizenship will be educating them on the naturalization process. Hearing the sentiments of those involved in the Sept. 18 naturalization ceremony, "you could see the passion and excitement of becoming American citizens," he said.

Those vying for U.S. citizenship must fill out a lot of paperwork, pass a civics test, go through a formal interview and have solid English speaking, reading and writing skills, among other things. Moreover, they typically have to have lived in the United States for at least five years as a lawful permanent resident.

Correction: This story has been changed to correct the characterization of Real Salt Lake's role in the Utah Citizenship Initiative from "unofficial partner" to "community partner."

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