Public Employee Press: PEP Talk
MELS helps members obtain U.S. citizenship
A DC 37 Action Alert email presented a life-changing opportunity for Local 375 member Prapitha Suresh.
“In November 2021, I received two emails, one from my union and one from CUNY, inviting me to a virtual U.S. citizenship webinar,” said Suresh, a Department of Health and Mental Hygiene research scientist. “Since I am part of DC 37, I tried MELS first. I thought, ‘Let’s just see what happens.’”
This year, DC 37’s Municipal Employees Legal Services (MELS) held a virtual U.S. citizenship webinar on Nov. 2, with collaborators from 32BJ Legal Services Fund, CUNY Citizenship Now!, and the Emerald Isle Project. MELS’ legal experts answered questions and explained the services it offers, including the union’s immigration and citizenship program.
“We have helped Prapitha and many DC 37 members obtain U.S. citizenship through MELS,” said William Whalen, Esq., MELS Director. “We provide advice and support throughout the entire naturalization process.”
MELS is a benefit provided by employer contributions to the union’s Health and Security Plan.
“I contacted MELS attorney Joan Foy who reviewed my application,” Suresh said. “I gave her my supporting documents, my employment verification, drivers and marriage licenses, and five years’ of tax returns, to show that I am an upstanding resident.
“Joan did all of the paperwork; she took care of everything,” she said. “I only had to pay the application processing fee.”
After a brief interview and a U.S. history test, Suresh took her oath of citizenship in July 2022 at a naturalization ceremony at the Pearl Street Federal Courthouse in Lower Manhattan. Thanks to DC 37, her naturalization process took about eight months. Without MELS, it would have taken two years or longer and cost upward of $15,000.
Born in Bangor, India, Suresh’s family immigrated to Detroit and she became a permanent U.S. resident at 16 years old.
“My family looked into obtaining citizenship right away,” she said, “but the political climate was unfavorable and I did not want to fight the legal battle.”
She went to college and eventually landed her dream job at DOHMH monitoring pediatric HIV cases in New York City.
“Having MELS assistance was a very safe and positive experience,” Suresh said. “A colleague did not use MELS and opted to use a private lawyer. The process was much more complicated and her legal bill was close to $30,000.”
“Members should rely on their prepaid union benefit of legal services for assistance with applying for citizenship,” said Cynthia Yahia, Esq., staff attorney in the MELS Family Law Unit and Citizenship Program. “MELS lawyers look for red flags from the onset that may impact a successful application. After we file the citizenship application, we track the case to ensure members do not miss any important dates or deadlines.”
“Belonging to a union has always been important to me,” Suresh said. “I come from Detroit so I knew exactly what unions do and the support they offer, but I never imagined immigration would be part of my union’s services for members. That’s what makes DC 37 and New York City so remarkable. They cater to a diverse workforce and focus on services that families of different backgrounds may need. I am so fortunate to have read that email from my union!”
For information on MELS legal services or to speak to an attorney, please call 212.815.1111.
