Citizenship Assistance to be Offered Oct. 22, 2011
Press Release
Permanent legal residents who are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship but have not moved forward with the application process are invited to receive free assistance with their paperwork on Oct. 22 at a Citizenship Day Workshop offered by U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz.
Pastor's office provides the assistance each year, with the help of dozens of trained volunteers, to help ease the citizenship application process. Many individuals are overwhelmed by the application process or find it difficult to comprehend, Pastor said. While the assistance from Rep. Pastor's office is free, applicants are required to include a $680 processing fee with their citizenship applications to the "U.S. Department of Homeland Security."
Individuals interested in receiving assistance on Oct. 22 must register for an appointment by contacting Congressman Ed Pastor's Phoenix District Office at 602-256-0551. They should be prepared to answer a series of questions that help determine their eligibility. Once registered for Citizenship Day, applicants will receive a packet with a list of documents and information they will be required to provide on Oct. 22. The documents help the trained volunteers complete the citizenship applications.
To be eligible for U.S. citizenship, a person must, among other requirements:
- Have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for at least five years, or
- Have been married to a U.S. citizen for at least three years and been a legal permanent resident for at least three years.
- Speak, read and write English unless one qualifies for an exemption.
- Demonstrate good moral character, especially during the past five years, with no criminal problems such as DUI/DWI or other felonies.
Space is limited and appointments are required. Therefore, individuals are urged to contact Congressman Pastor's Office at 602-256-0551 as soon as possible to register for an appointment on Oct. 22. The location of the Citizenship Day Workshop will be provided to individuals who receive appointments.
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