RELEASE: Empowering the Community: Dominicanos USA, CUNY Citizenship Now!, and NYC Labor Union Partners Offer Citizenship Application Assistance
New York, NY - Dominicanos USA (DUSA), CUNY Citizenship Now!, and the NYC Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO today proudly conducted a special citizenship application assistance event in celebration of National Citizenship Day, which took place earlier this week. The event, in partnership with the NALEO Education Fund, New Americans Campaign, Dominican Bar Association, Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, Laborers International Union Local 1010, and others assisted more than 100 union members, their families and friends on Saturday, September 21st, 2024 at the NY Metro APWU Conference Center. It was a unique opportunity for eligible applicants to receive free services aimed at helping them on their path to becoming United States citizens. Eligible applicants who attended the event benefited from the following essential services:
- Citizenship Application Assistance (Form N-400): Our dedicated team of experts guided applicants through the intricate citizenship application process, ensuring that all necessary paperwork was completed accurately.
- Fee Waiver Assistance (Form I-912): At the event, attendees received assistance with fee waiver applications, potentially reducing or eliminating the costs associated with the process. Unions participating covered all fees for their members who participated.
- Pro bono Legal Consultations: Knowledgeable immigration attorneys were on hand to provide valuable legal insights and answer any questions applicants had, ensuring they were well-informed and confident as they embarked on their citizenship journey.
We are committed to empowering eligible residents in their pursuit of American citizenship. By offering these invaluable services, we ensured the citizenship application process was more accessible and straightforward for everyone in our communities.
Together, we ensured everyone took a significant step towards realizing their dream of becoming a U.S. citizen!
“We continue with our commitment to empowering eligible residents in their pursuit of American citizenship,” said Eddie Cuesta, Executive Director of Dominicanos USA. “By offering these invaluable services, we ensure the citizenship application process is more accessible and straightforward for everyone in our communities. We continue expanding our partnership with strong stakeholders and welcomed the opportunity to work with labor unions in ensuring everyone took a significant step towards realizing their dream of becoming a U.S. citizen in celebration of National Citizenship Day!”
"To celebrate National Citizenship Day, CUNY Citizenship Now! is excited to partner with Dominicanos USA and NYC Central Labor Council to help immigrant workers apply for citizenship. Naturalization offers many opportunities to fully participate in our civic life by voting, applying for federal jobs, serving on a jury, and accessing other benefits, " said Monique Francis, Interim Executive Director, CUNY Citizenship Now! "As we commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution, we are pleased to have been offering free legal assistance to immigrants on the path to citizenship for almost 30 years.”
“The NYC Central Labor Council is proud to partner with organizations like Dominicanos USA, CUNY Citizenship NOW, and our CLC affiliates to encourage and facilitate naturalization for union members already working in NYC and eligible for citizenship,” said New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO President Vincent Alvarez. “Citizenship stabilizes and strengthens working families, and enables the civic engagement that is so critical to the Labor Movement’s ability to champion policies that empower working people. With today’s drive we are building solidarity across diverse institutions and contributing to a stronger and more vibrant democracy.”
“NALEO Educational Fund is proud to partner with organizations like Dominicanos USA, CUNY Citizenship Now!, and the New York City Central Labor Council to support union members and their families through the U.S. Naturalization application process,” said Orlando Ovalles, Northeast Director of Civic Engagement. “These collaborations expand the capacity to serve more eligible applicants. We applaud labor unions for promoting and sustaining these partnerships.”
“We are thrilled to celebrate the importance of citizenship and the incredible contributions that new citizens bring to our community,” said Rosemarin Belliard, Dominican Bar Association. “As the Dominican Bar Association, we are proud to support this event, which embodies the spirit of inclusivity, opportunity, and the American dream. We also want to emphasize the critical role that high-quality legal representation plays in the citizenship process. Navigating the complexities of immigration law requires skilled guidance to ensure that every applicant’s journey is smooth and their rights are fully protected. We are proud to join DUSA in their continued efforts to help naturalize our fellow New Yorkers.”
“The union members in New York City’s hotels hail from across the globe,” said Rich Maroko, President, Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, AFL-CIO. “But what unites them is a common dream: to build a life and a legacy that their children will look back on with pride. They are courageous, determined, and willing to fight for a better future. Our Union is proud to participate with the NYC Central Labor Council in this year’s citizenship drive and assist more of our members to take the momentous step toward becoming U.S. citizens.”
“Laborers’ Local 1010 is a union of immigrants. We understand that true strength lies in the power of every voice,” said Keith Loscalzo, Business Manager Laborers’ Local 1010, LIUNA. “Supporting this citizenship drive is crucial because it embodies our commitment to justice and equality. By helping our members become active participants in their communities, we reinforce the very principles that drive our union’s mission: solidarity, empowerment, and a shared vision for a better future. We are committed to assisting every eligible Local 1010 member on the path to become a U.S. citizen and are pleased to partner with groups like the NYC Central Labor Council, Dominicanos USA, and many others.”
About Dominicanos USA (DUSA):
Dominicanos USA is a non-profit organization committed to empowering Dominican-Americans and other underserved communities through civic and community engagement. DUSA provides a range of services, including voter registration, civic education, and citizenship assistance, to promote active participation in the democratic process.
About CUNY Citizenship Now!:
CUNY Citizenship Now! is an initiative of the City University of New York designed to provide free, high-quality immigration law services to help individuals and families on their path to U.S. citizenship. The program offers legal consultations, application assistance, and educational outreach to New York City's diverse immigrant communities.
About NALEO Education 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 the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO:
The New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO is a non-profit labor membership organization devoted to supporting, advancing, and advocating for the working people of New York City. As the nation's largest regional labor federation, the NYC CLC brings together 300 local unions from every trade, occupation, and public and private sector of the New York economy. We represent more than one million workers, including teachers, truck drivers, operating engineers, nurses, construction workers, hospitality workers, electricians, firefighters, retail workers, janitors, train operators, bakers, and many more who are the backbone of today’s workforce. Learn more at NYCCLC.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2024
Contact:
Lucia Gomez
201-988-8824
Eddie Cuesta
(718) 665-0400
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