AILA, NALEO Educational Fund, and the National Partnership for New Americans — in Conjunction with Telemundo Stations — Partner for the 17th AILA Citizenship Day with In-Person and Virtual Events Organizations to host nationwide eligibility screening program and more than 20 events across the country on and in the lead up to National Citizenship Day on Saturday, September 17
CONTACT:
- Belle Woods, bwoods@aila.org
(202) 507-7675 - NALEO Educational Fund, media@naleo.org
- Mynellies Negrón, mynellies@communicationsshop.us
(703) 585-6727
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, and the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) are proud to co-host the 17th AILA Citizenship Day, taking place in-person and virtually on and in the lead up to National Citizenship Day on Saturday, September 17, 2022. AILA Citizenship Day brings together attorneys, affiliates, law students, paralegals, interpreters, and members of the community to assist lawful permanent residents (also known as LPRs or Green Card holders) become Naturalized U.S. citizens and reap the benefits that are afforded to U.S. citizens.
Amplified by Telemundo-owned stations, the virtual activities will also take place on September 17, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET via NALEO Educational Fund’s Citizenship Hotline (1-888-839-8682). While the hotline is open year-round, on Citizenship Day, the organization will be joined by practicing attorneys, law students, and other legal professionals to screen callers — and those who text in — to check their eligibility for U.S. Naturalization, answer questions about the application process, and sign them up for application assistance opportunities in their communities.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics, millions of Green Card holders are potentially eligible to Naturalize; with pro-bono guidance and expertise from qualified immigration attorneys and other legal experts, AILA Citizenship Day aims to assist these qualified individuals in taking their final steps toward Naturalization.
AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson stated, “AILA Citizenship Day inspires all of us at AILA, because America isn’t just a country, it is an idea nurtured and strengthened by new citizens who bring their energy and commitment to the ongoing work of building a more perfect union. But becoming a citizen is a complex process and having an expert in immigration law ready to help can make those last steps to citizenship so much easier. We are so grateful to our partner organizations, and our member volunteers, who come together to offer opportunities for immigrants, so they are best positioned to finish the complex process of becoming a citizen and feel that sense of belonging as part of our American community.”
“There are many benefits of becoming a U.S. citizen, including the right to vote, the ability to travel with a U.S. passport, and — in some cases — increased employment opportunities,” said Arturo Vargas, NALEO Educational Fund CEO. “It is vital that lawful permanent residents who have shown loyalty to this country, contributed to its economy, and made it their home are able to enjoy the increased benefits that come with citizenship. NALEO Educational Fund is proud to partner in this year’s AILA Citizenship Day and is committed to providing free guidance and resources all year long through our toll-free, national bilingual Citizenship Hotline (1-888-839-8682) — open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET.”
“The NPNA Network has supported hundreds of thousands of people to become citizens over the past decade. This Citizenship Day, we celebrate new Americans who have taken the step to become U.S citizens and encourage those who have yet to do so to take the next step in their citizenship journey. For newly Naturalized citizens, civic engagement and voting are ways to make their voices heard and celebrate their citizenship as integral members in our aspirational vision of a multiethnic, multicultural democracy,” said Nicole Melaku, NPNA Executive Director.
AILA Chapters participating in this fall’s Citizenship Day events include: Central Florida, Chicago, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri/Kansas, Nevada, New England, New Jersey, Northern California, Ohio, Oregon, Philadelphia, Santa Clara, South Florida, Texas, Utah, Washington D.C., Washington State, and Wisconsin.
For more information on AILA Citizenship Day and in-person, region-specific events, visit our website.
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About American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.
About NALEO Educational Fund NALEO Educational Fund is the nation’s leading non-partisan, non-profit organization that facilitates the full participation of Latinos in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.
About National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) The National Partnership for New Americans is a national multiethnic, multiracial organization that represents 61 of the largest regional immigrant and refugee rights organizations in 40 states. Its members provide large-scale services for the communities, to leverage their collective power and expertise for a national strategy.