A few weeks ago, New America Media, the New Americans Campaign and a dozen local partner organizations hosted an ethnic media roundtable in New York to discuss the importance of citizenship for NYC green-card holders.

 

Immigration advocates and community leaders highlighted the 1.5 million eligible legal permanent residents currently living in New York City, with that number expected to raise to 2.5 million in the next couple of years. Advocates encouraged local media to help raise the awareness of citizenship and promote the benefits of becoming new Americans as these numbers continue to grow.

“Life can change dramatically when you become a citizen. This campaign needs to jumpstart. It is hard work to let people know citizenship is possible. There are programs out there to help you. You don’t have to feel that you’re too poor to do it,” said Sandy Close, executive director of New America Media.

“Naturalization and citizenship is important, not just for the individuals who live here but also for the economic vitality of the city as a whole. It is a strategy to advance all of New York together,” added Nisha Agarwal, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.

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(Photo by Mariela Lombard/El Diario)

During the roundtable, Carolina Solano shared her experience as a recently naturalized citizen. To escape the violence in Honduras, Carolina moved to the United States. With the help of our partner in New York, CUNY Citizenship Now!, Carolina was able to earn her citizenship. Now she is grateful to be able to petition for her parents to come join her in the U.S. from the harsh living conditions back home.

With the effort and dedication of New America Media and our partners in New York, the roundtable successfully briefed the local media and encouraged them to join the movement helping more and more residents become #NewAmericans.

 

To find a free citizenship workshop near you, visit our Citizenship Event Calendar.