Citizenship Now! For a Better Informed Community

By:Francis Rodríguez

NEW YORK CITY’S defining trait is its energy, coupled with eclecticism, and, most of all, its unique cultural mix. New York is synonymous with immigration, leading to the dominant role played by regulations and norms about immigration as an indispensable tool in day-to-day business for the capital of the world.

Aware of this reality, the City University of New York set out to create one program geared to allow free consultation for just any person in the community seeking tips regarding their naturalization process.

Allan Wernick, Director of CUNY Citizenship and immigration Project and professor at Baruch College, explains that, the first chapter of the program consisted of bringing orientation to its large student body, many of whom needed this kind of advice. The project was so successful that the drive was brought to the New York Daily News for the creation of an annual event: Citizenship Now! open to the whole community, with professionals of the area offering their services by phone, free of charge and in seven languages. The help lines have aided 55,000 people on migratory advice, since 2004,
and have tapped the services of personalities such as Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Sen. Chuck
Schumer and Bronx borough president Adolfo Carrion.

“Jay Hershenson, Senior Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Secretary of the Board of Trustees came to me with the idea for this program which has filled us with so much satisfaction. It has met with outstanding welcome, and last April we ran its 6th edition, with great numbers of people getting advice, not only on applications and regulations for citizenship, but on other topics as well. Likewise, for those needing additional information, they were referred to community affiliated centers capable of following up on their queries”, he commented.