Just days after a recently released report found a record-setting 1,957,189 immigrants have applied to become U.S. citizens in the midst of a historic immigration backlog, a coalition of organizations helped nearly a thousand of permanent residents apply for citizenship. Some cases even qualified for a fee-waiver and legal counsel in a massive citizenship clinic packed beyond capacity. Nearly 1,000 people are well on their way to voting and gaining crucial protections from the racist, anti-immigrant policies proposed by the current administration.
There are so many things I’d like to do and so many goals I have, but I always find this red tape because I’m not a citizen of this country yet.” Michelle Bartley
Florida Immigrant Coalition and Florida New Americans, in partnership with Catholic Legal Services, a ministry of the Archdiocese of Miami, Office of New Americans Miami-Dade, Miami Dade College, and Miami New Americans Campaign sponsored the citizenship mega event, which took place at Miami Dade College Interamerican Campus in Little Havana.
“I’ve been living in the United States since 1987. I’m a social worker, providing counseling and drug addiction treatment. There are so many things I’d like to do and so many goals I have, but I always find this red tape because I’m not a citizen of this country yet,” explained Michelle Bartley, a permanent resident applying for citizenship.
“There are professions in fields like law enforcement, and contributions I’d like to make to the community, but I can’t because so many require citizenship.”
Those who weren’t able to attend the citizenship clinic in Miami can still attend the next Florida New Americans citizenship clinic on Saturday, February 17, from 10am – 2pm at 4257 NW 12th St, Lauderhill, FL 33313. Anyone who wants more information about citizenship requirements and eligibility, or their constitutional rights when coming in contact with law enforcement or border patrol should call our hotline in Spanish, English, and Kreyol: 1-888-600-5762.
For More Florida News: elsemanarionewmexico.com
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