Welcome to the Virtual Citizenship Legal Clinic
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In collaboration with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), AILA's Wisconsin Chapter, and Empowering Citizens are proud to host AILA's 15th Annual Citizenship Day in Milwaukee, WI on February 20, 2021! Citizenship Day is a single-day nationwide event hosted by AILA chapters across the country and their local grassroots partners. Each year, Citizenship Day helps thousands of eligible legal permanent residents to prepare and apply for U.S. naturalization.
Empowering Citizens is very proud and excited to once again collaborate with the Wisconsin AILA Chapter to host Citizenship Day in Wisconsin. In times fraught with negativity and fear surrounding the word "immigration," this annual event is taking on a greater meaning. Our Citizenship Legal Clinic will help create a safe and welcoming place for all immigrants and highlight the beautiful and powerful impact of immigrants not only in Wisconsin but all over the United States. |
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WHO CAN APPLY FOR NATURALIZATION WITH EMPOWERING CITIZENS?
Lawful Permanent Residents who meet the following general eligibility criteria for naturalization can register for our Virtual Citizenship Legal Clinic: (Please note: requirements may vary depending on your situation. Generally, at the time of filing the N-400, applicants must)
- Be at least 18 years of age by the date you file your N-400, Application for Naturalization
- Have been a lawful permanent resident for at least the last five years (or three years, if married to a U.S. citizen)
- Have been a resident of the state of Wisconsin for at least three months
- Have had physical presence in the United States for at least 30 months out of the 5 years (18 months if married to a U.S. citizen).
- Be able to speak, read, and write English
- Be able to pass a U.S. History and Civics Exam
- Be a person of "Good Moral Character."
- Be willing to take the oath of allegiance of the United States
At the time of the interview, applicants must also:
- Be able to read, write, and speak basic English. (Contact us to start your preparation)
- Have a basic understanding of U.S. history and government. (Contact us to register for our civics classes)
Lawful Permanent Residents who meet the following general eligibility criteria for naturalization can register for our Virtual Citizenship Legal Clinic: (Please note: requirements may vary depending on your situation. Generally, at the time of filing the N-400, applicants must)
- Be at least 18 years of age by the date you file your N-400, Application for Naturalization
- Have been a lawful permanent resident for at least the last five years (or three years, if married to a U.S. citizen)
- Have been a resident of the state of Wisconsin for at least three months
- Have had physical presence in the United States for at least 30 months out of the 5 years (18 months if married to a U.S. citizen).
- Be able to speak, read, and write English
- Be able to pass a U.S. History and Civics Exam
- Be a person of "Good Moral Character."
- Be willing to take the oath of allegiance of the United States
At the time of the interview, applicants must also:
- Be able to read, write, and speak basic English. (Contact us to start your preparation)
- Have a basic understanding of U.S. history and government. (Contact us to register for our civics classes)
- You are exempt from the English language requirement but are still required to take the civics test if you are:
- Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (Green Card holder) in the United States for 20 years (commonly referred to as the “50/20” exception).
- OR
- Age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years (commonly referred to as the “55/15” exception).
- Note:
- Even if you qualify for the “50/20” or “55/15” English language exceptions listed above, you must still take the civics test.
- You will be permitted to take the civics test in your native language.
- If you take the test in your native language, you must have an interpreter available at the time of your interview.
- Your interpreter must be fluent in both English and your native language.
- If you are age 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years at the time of filing for naturalization, you will be given special consideration regarding the civics requirement.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY FOR NATURALIZATION WITH EMPOWERING CITIZENS
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- $725.00 filing fee for USCIS (Money Order or Check, payable to: "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." Or pay with a credit card, no fee if active military – bring proof of status)
- Social Security Card
- State Driver License or State I.D.
- Passport (All valid or expired passports)
- List of home addresses for the last five years and the dates you resided at these addresses
- List where you have worked or attended school full-time or part-time during the last five years. Alongside with the dates of employment or attendance
- List of all the trips of 24 hours or longer that you have taken outside the United States during the last 5 years.
- Information of current and previous spouses, including the prior spouse of your current spouse if applicable. Bring marriage certificate, divorce decree, annulment documents, death certificate, etc...
- Information of all children
- If you have been arrested, detained, charged, or cited for any reason by a law enforcement officer, please ensure to provide us with any and all documents relating to the case.
*Please note additional items, information, and documents may be needed.
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- $725.00 filing fee for USCIS (Money Order or Check, payable to: "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." Or pay with a credit card, no fee if active military – bring proof of status)
- Social Security Card
- State Driver License or State I.D.
- Passport (All valid or expired passports)
- List of home addresses for the last five years and the dates you resided at these addresses
- List where you have worked or attended school full-time or part-time during the last five years. Alongside with the dates of employment or attendance
- List of all the trips of 24 hours or longer that you have taken outside the United States during the last 5 years.
- Information of current and previous spouses, including the prior spouse of your current spouse if applicable. Bring marriage certificate, divorce decree, annulment documents, death certificate, etc...
- Information of all children
- If you have been arrested, detained, charged, or cited for any reason by a law enforcement officer, please ensure to provide us with any and all documents relating to the case.
*Please note additional items, information, and documents may be needed.
THE PROCESS TO APPLY WITH EMPOWERING CITIZENS
Please fill out the registration form at the bottom of the page, and our staff will contact you to schedule a virtual call for further eligibility processing. In the meantime, we ask that you start to gather all the items needed for your application. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you should have any questions or concerns at info@empoweringcitizens.org or call us at 414-207-6533 (text messages available)
Please fill out the registration form at the bottom of the page, and our staff will contact you to schedule a virtual call for further eligibility processing. In the meantime, we ask that you start to gather all the items needed for your application. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you should have any questions or concerns at info@empoweringcitizens.org or call us at 414-207-6533 (text messages available)
T H A N K Y O U T O O U R S P O N S O R S
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LIMITED LEGAL ADVICE
The Virtual Citizenship Legal Clinic is a pro bono limited legal advice service organized by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Citizenship Day and Empowering Citizens. The services provided by the pro bono attorneys will be limited to assisting in completing the naturalization application. By registering for our virtual clinic, you agree to provide the true and accurate information needed for completing your N-400, Application for Naturalization. Please understand that the pro bono attorney assisting you on February 20, 2020, will not be representing you in your naturalization application or at your interview with USCIS. Please understand that it is your responsibility to complete any remaining steps on your application and to file the application unless you have requested assistance to mail your application by our team.
USCIS will examine your entire immigration history, including the time before you became a lawful permanent resident. Under the new guidance, which may go into effect while your application is pending, USCIS can start removal proceedings for a broader range of cases, including where there is evidence of fraud or criminal activity. Therefore, registering for our legal clinic, you agree to provide complete and truthful information to the attorneys who will be assisting you.
The Virtual Citizenship Legal Clinic is a pro bono limited legal advice service organized by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Citizenship Day and Empowering Citizens. The services provided by the pro bono attorneys will be limited to assisting in completing the naturalization application. By registering for our virtual clinic, you agree to provide the true and accurate information needed for completing your N-400, Application for Naturalization. Please understand that the pro bono attorney assisting you on February 20, 2020, will not be representing you in your naturalization application or at your interview with USCIS. Please understand that it is your responsibility to complete any remaining steps on your application and to file the application unless you have requested assistance to mail your application by our team.
USCIS will examine your entire immigration history, including the time before you became a lawful permanent resident. Under the new guidance, which may go into effect while your application is pending, USCIS can start removal proceedings for a broader range of cases, including where there is evidence of fraud or criminal activity. Therefore, registering for our legal clinic, you agree to provide complete and truthful information to the attorneys who will be assisting you.
