Naturalization workshop held in Woodland
Coming only a few days after the birthday celebration of César Chávez, about 40 people began the process of becoming American citizens in Woodland.
Held at the Community & Senior Center, the workshop is one step necessary for immigrants to earn their U.S. citizenship. Assisting the applicants were faculty, students and alumni of the UC Davis School of Law Immigration Law Clinic, as well as volunteers from the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Some 22 volunteers assisted applications for much of the day in filling out what, for the most part, was standard paperwork seeking background information that one might be asked when applying for a driver's license or filling out a medical form.
Nonetheless, the information was critical in paving the pathway for those who wanted to continue the process. Applicants will also also have to complete a test in U.S. history and spelling along with other requirements in order to become citizens.
Most of those applying were Latino, some literate in English and others not. Some had come to America as children, others only recently. Most spent an hour with volunteers in filling out the paperwork.
César Chávez, who was born on March 31, 1927, and died on April 23, 1993, at the age of 66, was a respected farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist. He was co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers.
Interestingly, on Thursday state lawmakers moved ahead with a bill that would make it easier for farmworkers to unionize.
The bill would let field laborers organize by submitting a petition to the state Agricultural Labor Relations Board instead of holding a secret-ballot election. They also would have to submit cards signed by a majority of the farm's employees. The board would certify the union once it checks that the voting cards are legitimate.
The bill passed the Senate on a party-line 24-14 vote and now goes to the Assembly, which is also controlled by Democrats.