The National Association for New Americans (NPNA) and the Coalition for the Human Rights of Immigrants (CHIRLA) launched this Tuesday in Los Angeles a national campaign to naturalize two million immigrants in 2022 in which resources will be given to applicants.
The effort is focused on winning over at least two million of the more than eight million permanent residents who, according to activists, are currently eligible to begin their naturalization process and obtain US citizenship.
More than two million live in California and almost one million of these immigrant residents of the state are Mexican.
The campaign will provide educational and legal resources for permanent residents to start their processes. In addition, it will provide financial aid so that low-income people can pay for the procedures before the Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
“With this act of becoming citizens, they will be able to help their families and their communities,” said Angélica Salas, director of CHIRLA, calling on eligible permanent residents not to wait any longer.
As part of the “Naturalize 2 Million by 2022” campaign, the NPNA partnered with more than 50 immigrant and refugee advocacy organizations across the country, and dozens of counties and cities, including Los Angeles.
Eric Garcetti, head of the Los Angeles City Council, highlighted today that all of the city’s 73 libraries have information regarding the naturalization process, and eight of them offer to fill out the application at no cost.
US citizenship “means not being afraid of being deported, it gives us the opportunity to leave the country without worry, and the power to vote and raise our voice,” Garcetti said. “Your city is here to help you,” he added.
Salas explained that California has allocated $25 million to help eligible low-income immigrants.
The campaign includes a promotional tour to cities such as McAllen, San Antonio, Austin, Chicago, Milwaukee, Montgomery and New York, among others.