Free Citizenship Information Session held

People from all over the San Bernardino County area attended a free Citizenship Information Session provided by Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes and Senator Connie M. Leyva. The event was held at the Colton High School Hubbs Gym on Saturday, August 26.

The event included pre-screening for the citizenship application process, fee waiver information, and a review of the required documentation necessary.

There was a discussion on the benefits of becoming a U.S. citizen, and a question-and-answer session. There were several legal consultants on immigration on hand to help fill out forms, and answer questions the applicants may have.

The event was in conjunction with the “Center of Community Action and Environmental Justice”, the “Council on American-Islamic Relations”, the “Colton Joint Unified School District”, the Guatemalan Consulate”, and the “Mexican Consulate.”

Javier Flores of Yucaipa is 72 years old, and has permanent residency status in the U.S. Javier was excited to be part of this event in that it helped him expedite his application process by having all his questions answered all at once at the same location.

Javier was also grateful for the free services that were being provided. When asked why he was applying for citizenship, Javier said that he wanted to be able to vote and that he felt he would be entitled to more legal rights and protection as a citizen.

Alicia Muchucn from Yucaipa was interviewed and pre-screened by Laura Reyes. Alicia has been a permanent resident in the U.S. for about 25 years. She came to this country when she was 13. One of the benefits of being a citizen of the U.S. that Alicia is looking forward to is to vote and help make a change.

Aerial Roldan has been a U.S. citizen since 1993, and was in attendance to support his wife who is a permanent resident who wants to apply for her U.S. citizenship. Aerial was consulting with Jose Cisnero when Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes came by to introduce herself. Assemblymember Reyes made it a point to contact as many of the participants as possible.