The Philadelphia Chapter of the
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
PRESENTS: CITIZENSHIP DAY 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:CONTACT:
Judith Bernstein-Baker
(215) 832-0900
On April 19, 2008, from 10 am until 4 pm, The Pro Bono Committee of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) will present “Citizenship Day 2008,” a workshop providing legal assistance to state residents eligible for naturalization. This event, being held at NationalitiesServiceCenter, is presentedin conjunction with a national AILA citizenship day effort to promote naturalization. Over 20 citizenship clinics will be taking place all over the nation. Participants are asked to register for the event in advance by calling: Vilma Rivera or Laura Conn at HIAS and Council: (215) 832-0900, or Karin Brandt at NSC: (215) 609-1534.
In Philadelphia, local attorneys, paralegals and community volunteers will assist eligible Pennsylvaniaresidents in completing and submitting their citizenship applications at no cost. Cherylle Corpuz, President of Philadelphia AILA and of counsel at Blank Rome LLP, has helped mobilize support for the event. “With the uncertain political climate surrounding immigration and the upcoming election, both national and local organizations are striving to help the many Philadelphians who currently hold Green Cards to take the next step to become citizens.” According to Judith Bernstein-Baker, Chair of the Pro Bono Committee, “each year, hundreds of thousands of immigrants, from all corners of the globe, embrace the ideals of freedom and democracy and become United States citizens. We hope this event will provide an avenue for many that have been hindered by the cost of legal assistance.”
Co-sponsorship of the event is growing. At the current time, HIAS and Council Migration Service of Philadelphia; Nationalities Service Center; Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC); U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, Philadelphia District; Congreso; Ceiba; National Lawyers Guild; Asian American Bar Association of the Delaware Valley; ACLU of Pennsylvania; AFRICOM; African Islamic City Center; ACANA;Organization of Chinese Americans-Greater Philadelphia; Concilio/Dominican Cultural Center; SEAMAAC;the Cambodian Association; the Liberian Association of Pennsylvania; Greater Philadelphia Chinese Overseas Association the Council for American Islamic Relations and the Hispanic Bar Association are participating.
The event will be held at NationalitiesServiceCenter, 1216 Arch St, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA.
Those persons that do not speak English but are 50 or older and have been in the US for an extended period may be eligible to take the test in their own language and should call to see if they qualify.Again, participants are asked to register for the event in advance by calling: Vilma Rivera or Laura Conn at HIAS and Council: (215) 832-0900, or Karin Brandt at NSC: (215) 609-1534.
The press is invited to cover the event. For further information please contact: Judith Bernstein-Baker at or (215) 832-0900.