Citizenship classes aid immigrants
Gilroy – For Rita and Kirit Vashee, becoming U.S. citizens means the right to vote, being at ease from the risk of deportation and knowing they can call Gilroy home. They are in the process of completing an application for their citizenship through the Free Citizenship Day orientation held last weekend at Rebekah Childrens Services.
“As a citizen, you take a part in everything, and they don’t have the excuse to deport you,” said Rita who lived in Zambia, Africa, and then in England for 25 years.
The county Citizenship Collaborative sponsored the Free Citizenship Day Saturday in Gilroy and San Jose. Three orientations taught applicants who is eligible and what it takes to become a citizen, and offered initial legal assessments to applicants.
An estimated 200 were in attendance, and 50 submitted applications.
Some changes in the system include fee increases that will almost double come June. Currently the cost to start the application process is $400. Applicants are asked 100 history and government questions. The 100 questions will increase to 140 by 2009.
Volunteer Martha Campos helped many with their applications because after going through the arduous process herself, she understands how difficult it can be.
“We want a just and fair way of becoming citizens,” Campos said. “It’s inhumane that people have to wait 12 to 15 years to be with their families when they are already working and contributing to the economy of this nation by paying taxes. It’s not fair that they live in fear.”
Campos said the process is intimidating. First, noncitizens must see if they are eligible.
Once eligibility is reached, the application process begins and a fee of $400 must be paid. After five to eight months, the applicant is given an appointment for fingerprint verification. Then a 15- to 20-minute interview follows. For those who pass, an oath ceremony takes place.
Hector Rosas waited 10 years to apply for citizenship.
“A lot of people are afraid that they will not get helped,” he said. “I have a lot of friends that do not have papers. They have a bad concept that if they apply they will get deported. That’s why a lot of noncitizens don’t get help.”
Nearly 25 percent of Gilroy’s population is a native of a foreign country, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. A quarter of those have become U.S. citizens.
Juan Gil Garcia, 33, coordinator of citizenship services at Catholic Charities has given presentations to noncitizens for a decade.
“When people feel integrated in the community, they participate and contribute more to the advancement of that same community,” said Garcia.
Through these classes, noncitizens are empowered, and many of them don’t know that they have basic rights, Campos said.
“We will get to vote, and you feel more relaxed that you can’t be kicked out of the country,” said Kirit Vashee. “You feel like this is your home.”
