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Workshop to ease path for prospective citizens
Article features CCC's partner, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition.
El Centro Latino of Shelbyville and Bedford County and the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) have announced a citizenship workshop on Saturday, Aug. 23.
The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce, 100 North Cannon Blvd. Legal experts and trained community volunteers will gather for the one-day event to assist Bedford County's permanent residents in the process of becoming American citizens.
"For those who are able to get into the citizenship path, the process is becoming more and more difficult and costly," said Miguel Gonzalez, President of El Centro Latino. "However, as word got out about the citizenship workshop, the community immediately showed an interest."
"People still want to become citizens, despite harder tests and higher fees," said Mr. Gonzalez.
The announcement stated that the immigrant community is facing new barriers to becoming citizens, due to a 69 percent increase in application fees and the new citizenship test.
The workshop "will provide an opportunity for both organizations and volunteers from the community to work together to help make the difficult process of becoming a U.S. citizen easier and more affordable to Bedford County's New American community."
All eligible permanent residents participating in the one-day workshop will receive assistance in completing the Application for Naturalization (N-400), free consultation with immigration attorneys, as well as information about English classes, citizenship classes, and other community services.
For more information about the workshop, contact Luci Taylor at (931) 703-6764 or Gonzalez at (931) 703-3745.
