STANISLAUS COUNTY, Calif. —

LearningQuest, a nonprofit in Stanislaus County, is stepping up to meet the increased demand for citizenship and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes as concerns about immigration enforcement rise in the Central Valley.

"We've noticed about like a 25% increase in students that are interested in citizenship," said Victoria Hernández, ESL program director.

Students are eager to embrace the challenge, roaming the halls of LearningQuest.

"I'm come here because I want to learn writing. I speak English, and I want to help my kids in school sometimes. I want to get a good job too," one student said.

Each lesson brings her closer to achieving her goal of citizenship.

"I want to get it too because I think in these new opportunities for here in the USA, becaus

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