Help make a last push for immigrants to get their citizenship before the fee waiver rules change!

On October 25, 2019, U.S.C.I.S. announced that lawful permanent residents who are receiving a means-tested benefit such as MediCal, food stamps, etc. will no longer qualify for a fee waiver based on getting public benefits. The new fee waiver form that does not include an eligibility category for the means-tested benefit will be required to be used by December 2nd. After December 2, applicants for citizenship can still apply for a fee waiver based on their latest tax information (tax transcripts) or based on financial hardship.

To help more low-income clients apply for their citizenship using their means-tested benefits, we will be having a citizenship workshop on November 16, 2019. This will be in partnership with the Social Services Agency of Santa Clara County (SSA). SSA will be reaching out to their clients and providing verification of benefits, which they can still presently use to get the waiver.

We will need as many volunteers as possible so please join us on November 16.

All new volunteers will need to watch a training video on naturalization and attend an in-person training on the day of the event.

To sign up to watch the training video, follow these steps:

1. Under the question "Have you volunteered at a citizenship workshop in the past 12 months?", click "No".
2. Under the question "Have you participated in a citizenship workshop orientation in the past 12 months?", click "No".
3. Proceed to sign your name under the orientation listed. The date on the orientation says 11/15/19 but it is an online training that you can complete anytime before the November 16 event. After you sign up for the orientation, we will send you an email with a link to the online training. When you watch the online training, we will be notified so you will be considered a trained volunteer.

If you have attended a training in the past 12 months, are an immigration attorney, or are under 18 years of age, training is optional. Otherwise, please register and arrive the day of the event.

Sign up today! https://volunteer.legal/event/GmKMewZ5ND/signup

 ***As a volunteer, I understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality. I pledge not to disclose confidential or personal information about anyone seeking assistance at the Workshop to third parties without the consent of the individual. I will consult with an attorney, staff, or the coordinator at my location before divulging information about any person. By signing this document, I am bound to keep all information, including that which concerns individuals seeking assistance, attorneys, and volunteers, confidential. This is the case before, during, and after the event.***

For questions, please contact My Linh Do at [email protected].

Best regards,

My Linh Do

Asian Law Alliance