Local groups and City officials to launch new campaign aimed at boosting citizenship among eligible immigrant residents after receiving national award

By Somos Un Pueblo Unido

On Monday, September 17, 2018, 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 will launch Citizenship Now!, a new local campaign aimed at helping eligible immigrant residents become U.S citizens, build security for their families and have a stronger political voice about the issues that impact their daily lives.

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 over 66 proposals.

Through community forums, legal clinics, peer-to-peer outreach and a robust public information campaign, Citizenship Now! will help eligible residents fill out citizenship applications, register them to vote and connect them to homeownership, business development and other city resources.

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

What: Press conference to announce launch of Citizenship Now! campaign and awarding of national naturalization grant. A community reception with food and drink will immediately follow at the Convention Center Gallery next to City Hall.

When: Monday, September 17, 2018 starting at 10:30 a.m.

Where: On the south side lawn of the Santa Fe City Hall (200 Lincoln Ave. Santa Fe, NM) located near Marcy St. and Lincoln Ave. Reception will be held at the Convention Center Gallery on Marcy St.

Who: Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber and other City officials, representatives from Guadalupe Credit Union, Santa Fe Area Homebuilders Association, Adelante, the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, Northern New Mexico Central Labor Council and Somos Un Pueblo Unido including workers who are legal permanent residents and who will be among the first to participate in the campaign.