Local groups and City officials launch Citizenship Now! in effort to boost citizenship among eligible immigrant residents after receiving national award

By Somos Un Pueblo Unido 

On Monday, as communities across the country celebrate National Citizenship Day, Somos Un Pueblo Unido, Santa Fe City officials including Mayor Alan Webber, and other community partners launched Citizenship Now!, a new local campaign aimed at helping eligible immigrant residents become U.S. citizens and register to vote.

The campaign announcement comes after Somos was awarded the non-partisan Cities for Citizenship “America is Home” grant to help fund a new naturalization program in partnership with the City of Santa Fe Mayor’s Office. After a highly competitive application process, Santa Fe became one of only 14 cities nationwide to receive the naturalization award out of a pool of 66 proposals.

“When our immigrant neighbors finally have the much-needed resources to become U.S. citizens, we all benefit,” said Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber. “Families feel secure enough to buy a home, start their own businesses, and contributions to our City’s economy increase. We also send a message that unity is more powerful than division.”

“We are thrilled to have been selected for this start up program,” said Marcela Díaz, Executive Director for Somos Un Pueblo Unido. “Santa Fe is already a national leader when it comes to keeping families together by protecting the civil rights of every resident, boosting naturalization is a logical next step. Through the campaign, we will be able to help eligible immigrant workers become U.S. citizens, build security for families and have a stronger political voice about the issues that impact our community.”

Starting next month, the campaign will hold four citizenship forums across the city to provide eligible residents with information and work with them to begin the application process, as well as initiate a peer-to-peer outreach program and a robust public information campaign, including citizenship corners at every public library.

“Under the Trump administration, it is no longer enough to be a lawful permanent resident, if we are not U.S. citizens, we are vulnerable,” said Maria Horta, a Somos member and retail worker who has been a lawful permanent resident for 8 years and plans on becoming a citizen through the new program. “One way I can protect myself, secure a better future for my children, and help my community continue to resist is by becoming a naturalized citizen. It is time for us to fight back by becoming citizens.”

According to the University of Southern California’s Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration, there are approximately 4,000 lawful permanent residents that are eligible to become U.S. citizens in Santa Fe County.

“Being a welcoming city, a “sanctuary” city, isn’t just about protecting immigrant families and safeguarding people’s personal information, it’s also about reducing barriers and providing opportunities for all our residents to fully integrate into our community,” said City Councilor Renee Villarreal, a sponsor of the City’s 2017 Welcoming Community Resolution. “This new program will help Santa Feans gain another way to engage in civic life.”

Aside from boosting citizenship among Santa Fe residents, the campaign will also connect them to homeownership, business development and other city resources.

Somos and the City will work with local groups to maximize outreach to the immigrant community. Partners include the Guadalupe Credit Union, Santa Fe Area Homebuilders Association, Santa Fe Public Schools Adelante Program, the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, and the Northern New Mexico Central Labor Council.

“America is Home” is a two-year challenge grant program to help municipalities and community partners encourage U.S. citizenship among eligible immigrants and increase naturalization application rates. Albuquerque’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs will also work with local groups to increase naturalization rates.

There are currently 55,000 lawful permanent residents eligible to apply for citizenship in New Mexico. For Somos, Santa Fe’s program expands on its current naturalization program in south eastern New Mexico.

Below are statements from other Citizenship Now! partners:

“Santa Fe’s long-time immigrant residents have been banking with our credit union for many years,” said Winona Nava, President/CEO of the Guadalupe Credit Union. “We understand the untapped potential immigrants, their families and the entire community hold, and we hope to help unleash some of that promise by participating in this campaign.”

“When long-time members of our community no longer have to worry about their family being separated, they invest even more in our city,” said Kim Shanahan, executive director for the Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association. “Renters become homeowners, homeowners become investors, workers become businessowners and everyone wins.”

“U.S. citizenship provides students with the stability, security and safety they need in order to succeed,” said Attiana Virella-Fuentes, Adelante Program Coordinator for Santa Fe Public Schools. “Students should not have to worry about if their parent will be there after-school. That is why we are part of this campaign.”

“When immigrant workers have a stronger political voice about the issues that impact their daily lives at the workplace, all workers benefit, citizens and noncitizens alike,” said Cam Duncan, trustee with the Northern NM Central Labor Council. “If we can do our part to help a worker become a U.S. citizen, we are helping to arm yet another worker with a stronger voice. And together we can use our collective power to solve the issues all workers face.”

“U.S. citizenship helps individuals and families ensure long term stability in this country which in turns allows our city, county and state to achieve their full potential,” said Rebekah Wolf, attorney with the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. “That is why we are participating in this campaign.”