LV businesses back naturalization workshops
A series of community naturalization workshops are set to run in Las Vegas as part of the Ya Es Hora ¡Ciudadanía! campaign.
The effort is geared to help legal permanent residents of Las Vegas apply for U.S. citizenship. Eligible applicants can receive free assistance to complete the N-400 citizenship application, obtain passport photos and receive legal guidance. The national campaign has helped more than 1.4 million immigrants apply for U.S. citizenship.
The Las Vegas workshops are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 16 and Sept. 24 at the Rio Convention Center, 3700 W. Flamingo Road. There will be another workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 16 at the East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave.
A coalition of local and national organizations and businesses are helping with the nationwide effort. The first workshop was held at the Latin Chamber of Commerce. More than 100 people came to the event seeking free assistance. More than 50 people completed their citizenship application with the assistance of more than 150 volunteers from the 16 participating organizations.
Partners in the local project include Caesars Entertainment Corp., the Human Rights Campaign, Mi Familia Vota, ASI Conference Systems, the Colombian Association of Las Vegas, Democracia USA, El Tiempo, the Latin Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund, SEIU Nevada and Wells Fargo. Also supporting the effort are Asian Chamber of Commerce, Chihuahua Sin Fronteras, Dom Pedro ll Brazilian Foundation, Hermandad Mexicana and Toastmasters en Español.
According to Mi Familia Vota, there are more than 70,000 eligible legal permanent residents living in Nevada.
Eligible applicants for U.S. citizenship should preregister for the workshop by calling 888-839-8682 or emailing yaeshoralv@gmail.com.
A screening process to determine eligibility will be completed and those meeting the requirements will be offered assistance. To apply, applicants must be at least 18 years old; a legal permanent resident for at least five years or three years if married to a U.S. citizen; able to read, write, speak and understand basic English; have basic knowledge of U.S. history and government; and be of good moral character.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services require applicants to submit a $680 money order along with N-400 application and other documentation, although participants do not need to pay the application fee at the workshop and may still receive assistance if they do not have the application fee. Participants should bring three forms of identification -- residency card, state identification and Social Security card.