On Saturday, September 29, 2009, 129 legal permanent residents traveled to a church in Cicero, IL to apply for US Citizenship. Since the increase in the fee from $400 to $675 in August 2007, this is the largest turnout for a Citizenship Workshop through the New Americans Initiative. Applicants came from as close as Melrose Park and as far away as Lake in the Hills, IL.
Through the financial sponsorship of NALEO and State Farm, 16 lucky applicants won $275 towards the cost of their Citizenship application, allowing them to pay the previous price for the Citizenship application.
Applicants were assisted by immigration lawyers, trained application preparers, interpreters, and 10 volunteers from the Human Rights Campaign, though partnership with NALEO’s ¡Ya Es Hora! This was the first local partnership of HRC and NAI. HRC and other volunteers were excited to interact with the applicants and making the dream of Citizenship a reality. After careful screening and application completion, the New Americans Initiative will send all completed applications to USCIS. In a few months, after applicants pass an interview and test, and participate in an Oath Ceremony, Illinois will have over 100 new Citizens and new voters as a result of the recent workshop!
New Americans Initiative Citizenship workshops are held regularly across the state. To find the upcoming workshop closest to you, check the NAI webpage. This particular workshop was organized by NAI Partners Instituto del Progresso Latino, Interfaith Leadership Project, West Suburban Action Project, Mujeres Latinas en Accion, Southwest Organizing Project, Latino Organization of the Southwest, and Universidad Popular.