BOSTON, April 20, 2016, — At 10 A.M., on Saturday, May 14, specially trained volunteers will be helping qualified immigrants fill out paperwork to apply for U.S. Citizenship. The free citizenship application clinic will be at Quincy Community Action Programs (QCAP) 4th floor Offices (1509 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA) between
10:00 AM and noon on May 14. Click here to Pre-register or call (617)500-5998.
Immigrants celebrate becoming US citizen(file photo).
This clinic will offer free one-on-one help with citizenship applications with volunteers who speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Cantonese, Mandarin and other languages. Eligible immigrants will have the opportunity to complete their applications, and also, to apply for a waiver of the $680 application fee.
Massachusetts enjoys higher rates of naturalization than most states, but it still has room for improvement. Of the state’s 320,000 Legal Permanent Residents (or holders of a green card), 180,000 are eligible to naturalize but have not yet done so.
“Studies show that the daunting application process and the high fees are two of the major barriers for qualified immigrants to become citizens” said Eva Millona, Executive Director of MIRA（(Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. “We can help many immigrants overcome both those hurdles.”
“As a naturalized citizen myself, I can attest to the profound benefits of citizenship,” Ms. Millona continued. “For families, it allows easier travel and derivative citizenship for children. For individuals, it opens job opportunities and grants the right to vote. But the most important benefit is just becoming a full and equal member of this great nation — it’s a transformational step.”
MIRA also accepts volunteers to help with these clinics. You can sign up to volunteer at miracoalition.org/citizenship-clinics.
To be eligible for citizenship, attendees MUST:
· Have been a legal permanent resident for 5 years, or for 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen
· Have no serious problems with the law
· Speak, write, and read basic English (some older or impaired clients may be
eligible for an exemption)
Attendees should bring:
· Green card
· Passport(s)
· List of your addresses AND employers for the past five years
· Marriage and divorce certificates
· Two passport photos
· Social Security Card (optional)
· Money order in the amount of $680.00 (unless you are applying for a fee waiver)
To check eligibility for a fee waiver, attendees should call 617-500-5998 before the clinic.