Free citizenship orientations are among the many services that
will be offered this weekend at the 11th annual
“Citizenship and Immigrant Pride Day.”
Free citizenship orientations are among the many services that will be offered this weekend at the 11th annual “Citizenship and Immigrant Pride Day.”
The Saturday event in downtown San Jose is meant to help immigrants who need guidance in understanding the laws, customs and resources in the United States and Santa Clara County. It is sponsored by the Santa Clara County Citizenship Collaborative, a group of 20 community organizations.
The event features free citizenship services, including an orientation on “How to Become A U.S. Citizen” in any of 17 languages and an initial legal consultation if needed. Workshops will be held in English, Spanish and Vietnamese titled “Immigrant Rights, Responsibilities and Resources.”
A community resource fair will offer immigrants the opportunity to ask questions about how to register for health care, classes and other services.
Meanwhile, visitors can also set up appointments at later dates for other free services such as a personalized assessment of eligibility, application assistance, photos and referrals to English as a Second Language and citizenship classes. Applicants are asked to bring their green card.
According to the 2000 Census, the county has twice as many immigrants as any other county in the Bay Area and an overall population mix of approximately 44 percent non-Latino white, 26 percent Asian, 24 percent Latino, and 3 percent African American.
Saturday’s event is slated from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Center For Employment Training, 701 Vine St. in San Jose. The “Rights and Responsibilities” workshop starts at 12:15 p.m.
Cultural performances from Vietnam, Mexico and Iran are also scheduled from 11 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m.
Details: Richard Hobbs, 792-2340.
