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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
MARCH 8, 2012
CONTACT:
Cat Bao Le
(direct) 415.999.4461 | (office) 980.202.0927
media advisory | press release
VIETNAMESE ASSOCIATION OF CHARLOTTE PROVIDES FREE CITIZENSHIP FAIR FOR VIETNAMESE AND MONTAGNARDS on March. 17, 2012
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CHARLOTTE, NC - The VIETNAMESE ASSOCIATION OF CHARLOTTE (VAC) will provide a 2nd free citizenship fair in Charlotte as part of an ambitious nationwide effort to encourage immigrants and refugees in to become U.S. citizens.
At the previous fair on February 5, 2012, about one hundred Vietnamese and Montagnard community members received one-on-one application assistance and legal counseling from experienced immigration attorneys.Interpretation was available to applicants who preferred to communicate in their own language (Vietnamese and other Montagnard dialects).
“The citizenship fair really highlighted the need for meaningful citizenship services in the Southeast Asian communities in and around Charlotte,” said Cat Bao Le, Director of the Civic Engagement Project. “One hour after opening our doors, we had over 100 community members lined up for services, most of whom were also eligible for fee waivers. Unfortunately we were at capacity pretty early, but this first fair showed us that there is a great need in Charlotte for citizenship services.”
The Vietnamese Association of Charlotte will hold a 2nd fair in Charlotte on March 17, 2012. The workshop will be held from 11am – 3pm at the Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church, 101 Sugar Creek Road.
The Asian American & Pacific Islander Naturalization Network (AAPINN) - which consists of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) and other community-based organizations nationwide - will directly assist hundreds of AAPI green-card holders, providing assistance in determining eligibility for citizenship and helping those that are eligible complete their application forms and apply for fee waivers.
"Naturalization is a key entry point into full civic and political participation," said Cat Bao Le, Director of the Civic Engagement and Citizenship Project at VAC. "Integrating immigrants into our larger social and political system and helping them gain U.S. citizenship benefits not only immigrants, but strengthens our democracy as a whole."
The fair includes 5 stations starting with a pre-screening station and ending with a legal review where immigration experts will review completed applications. The effort will include law students, community leaders, attorneys, and also staff from the Latin American Coalition and Catholic Social Services, both partners on this project. VAC encourages the public to attend the citizenship workshop.
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Throughout this year, VAC and partner agencies will co-host the free naturalization workshops in several regions: Los Angeles/Long Beach, Fresno, Orange County, Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose, Houston, New York City, Detroit and Charlotte. The areas were selected based on the high number of AAPI area residents who are eligible to become citizens. Asian language assistance will be provided at each session.
VAC's citizenship fair is the first step in a multi-stage civic engagement effort to encourage new Americans to participate civically in their communities, including voting and speaking out on important issues. Following their naturalization, new Vietnamese and Montagnard citizens will be encouraged to register to vote, as well as receive information of how the U.S. government and elections process generally works.
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"We are excited to be a part of the naturalization network, here in Charlotte, which is home to a large and growing Asian immigrant community," said VAC. "North Carolina is home to an already large, but rapidly growing Vietnamese community due to people migrating here from California, Texas, and from all over the county. Moreover, North Carolina is also is home to the largest Montagnard community outside of Southeast Asia, so services like this citizenship fair have been well received." said Peter Tran, President of VAC.
"Due to our history many Vietnamese and Montagnard community members are fearful of government, and feel as if the N400 process is daunting as well as expensive. We want to encourage civic engagement to build a stronger community voice, and the first step for us is getting folks naturalized." Cat Bao Le said.
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Generally, in order to naturalize, an individual must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a permanent resident ("green card holder")
- Have continuously resided in the U.S. for at least five years as a permanent resident
- Have been physically present in the U.S. for at least two and a half years
- Demonstrate good moral character
- Have a basic understanding of U.S. government and history
- Be able to understand, speak, read and write basic English
Members of the public who are interested in more information in citizenship can view APALC's video, Citizenship 101: Your Guide to Citizenship online through this link:http://www.apalc.org/?page=citizenship |