Public Employee Press: PEP Talk
Thinking of becoming a U.S. citizen?
DC 37 Municipal Employees Legal Services (MELS) and the Building Service 32BJ Legal Services Fund teamed up with CUNY’s Citizenship Now program to present a free seminar July 1 via Zoom, the video conferencing app.
Dozens of union members viewed the video conference, a collaboration of two major New York City-based unions and CUNY. Lawyers and other legal professionals shared information on how to become a U.S. citizen and its benefits, how and when to file, the requirements for citizenship, and other important facts.
Mark Heron, assistant director of Research and Negotiations and committee co-chair, said, “CUNY Citizenship Now program has been a longtime partner of DC 37’s Citizenship Committee to offer free professional application assistance to members and the community. This is a valuable resource for our members.”
“We believe this program will help members take steps on their journey toward the American dream,” said Citizenship Committee Chair Juan Fernandez, president of Local 154.
The two unions’ teams of legal professionals also discussed the citizenship test and how to prepare for it; petitioning for relatives, and many other free immigration and citizenship services including green card renewals, DACA and TPS.
“Citizenship is important and new citizens often have a high participation rate in the American democracy experiment,” Fernandez said. “So it’s vital that we help our members become new citizens.”
To learn how MELS and the DC 37 Citizenship Committee can help members covered by the H&S Fund apply for U.S. citizenship and get answers to questions, schedule a one-on-one, confidential consultation with MELS at 212.815.1800 or email KGomez@dc37.net.
Local 371 members will be referred to their legal service provider.
DC 37 members in our nonprofit/private sector division who are not covered by a legal benefit can contact Citizenship NOW at 646.664.9400.
