On March 31, 2012, the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association will sponsor Pro Bono Citizenship Day, where local attorneys will help lawful permanent residents achieve their American dream of applying for U.S. Citizenship. Co-sponsored by 15 community organizations, Pro Bono Citizenship Day has broad support in the Philadelphia area.

Pro Bono Citizenship Day is an opportunity for eligible low income permanent residents to receive free or pro bono assistance and representation throughout the naturalization process. Becoming a U.S. citizen is a win-win for immigrants and the communities they live in. Legal immigrants gain voting rights, security, and job opportunities. In turn, they will help keep America strong and vibrant by contributing their voices to the civic dialogue, their efforts and initiatives to growing and invigorating our economy, and their dedication to the American ideals of freedom and democracy.

The Pro Bono Citizenship Day lead-up activities begin in mid-March. Local immigration attorneys from the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) will hold a series of pre-Citizenship Day information sessions throughout the city. They begin on Saturday, March 10 at noon at the ACES African Center for Education and Sustainability; subsequent sessions will be held at 6 p.m. March 12 at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 1719 Morris St.; 4 p.m. March 13 at the Nationalities Service Center, 1216 Arch St.; 2 p.m. Thursday, March 15 at the Korean Community Development Services Center, 6055 N. 5th St.; 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia, 5412 N. 5th St.; 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 19 at New World Association, 9857 Bustleton Ave.; 6 p.m. Thursday, March 22 at Esperanza, 4261 N. 5th St. and at noon on Saturday, March 24 at Multicultural Community Family Services, 7016 Terminal Square, Upper Darby, Pa.

All are welcome to attend. The immigration lawyers will explain the U.S. citizenship process and assess an individual’s eligibility. Eligible individuals can then schedule an appointment for assistance on Pro Bono Citizenship Day on March 31st.

Volunteer attorneys are needed to:

• deliver a short presentation on the naturalization process during one of our community information sessions;
• provide pro bono service to citizenship applicants throughout the naturalization process.

This year eligible immigrants of limited means in Philadelphia and Upper Darby are being targeted with our community and law school partners. Attorneys from all practice areas are welcome!

You don't need to be an immigration attorney to participate, as FREE training sessions will be held on the naturalization process and fee waivers. Attorneys who attend a training AND volunteer on Citizenship Day will receive 1.5 CLE credits.

More information is available at https://sites.google.com/site/uscitizenshipday/.

Click here for a flyer to share with colleagues and law students.

Click here to register as a volunteer attorney for an information session and/or Citizenship Day. You can also select the training session you would like to attend.

Click here to see a map of info session sites.

Click here for Citizenship Day locations.