The Washington Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association

							                    The Washington Chapter of the
            American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

                      PRESENTS: CITIZENSHIP DAY 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                    CONTACT:
                                          Jorge Madrazo at (206) 306-4881 or
                                          Cynthia Irvine at (253) 520-5000

On April 19, 2008 the Washington chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers
Association (AILA) will present “Citizenship Day 2008,” a workshop providing assistance
to state residents eligible for U.S. Citizenship. This event follows last year’s workshops,
at which approximately 230 individuals received low-cost assistance with their
applications for U.S. citizenship.

Offered at eight locations (see below), Citizenship Day 2008 will be staffed by volunteer
immigration attorneys, paralegals, interpreters and other community members. These
teams will prepare citizenship applications for $20 to cover costs. Applicants will be
able to consult with professionals and ensure that their documentation is complete.

This workshop is only able to provide assistance for citizenship applications and is not
staffed for general immigration matters.

Recent developments and initiatives regarding immigration issues are encouraging
permanent residents to seek citizenship as soon as they can. Each year, hundreds of
thousands of immigrants, from all corners of the globe, embrace the ideals of freedom
and democracy and become United States citizens.

The Washington Chapter of AILA has developed a unique working partnership to
undertake this effort. Partner organizations include:
  •   Asian Counseling           •   El Centro de la Raza      •   Northwest Immigrant
      and Referral Service                                         Rights Project
                                 •   Hate Free Zone of
  •   Casa Latina                    Washington                •   Skagit Valley
                                                                   College
  •   Catholic Refugee &         •   The Latina/o Bar
      Immigration Services           Association of            •   Sea Mar Community
                                     Washington                    Health Center
  •   Centralia Community
      College                    •   Lutheran Community        •   Vida Nueva Church
                                     Services Northwest
  •   Centro Latino                                            •   Wenatchee
                                 •   Nat’l Federation of           Community Center
  •   Clallam-Jefferson
                                     Filipino American
      County Pro Bono                                          •   Washington CAN! .
                                     Association
      Lawyers
  •   Comité Pro-Amnistia
The press is invited to cover the event. For further information please contact:
Jorge Madrazo (206-306-4881 or jorgemadrazo@seamarchc.org) or Cynthia
Irvine (253-520-5000 or cirvine@hiplawfirm.com), Co-Chairs Citizenship Day
Promotions Committee.

What:                AILA Citizenship Day
When:                10 AM- 4 PM, Saturday, April 19, 2008
Where:       8 Locations Across the State of Washington


       Centralia                      Centralia Community College
 (360) 736-9391 x 404        Learning Resource Center, Kirk Library Building
                              600 Centralia College Blvd., Centralia WA 98531



    Mount Vernon                     Skagit Valley College, Lewis Hall
                               2405 E College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
    (360) 416-7095


        Pasco                                Sea Mar Motel
    (509) 546-0865                  627 West Lewis, Pasco, WA 99301



     Port Angeles              Clallam-Jefferson County Pro Bono Lawyers
    (360) 417-0818                  816 E 8th St, Port Angeles, WA 98362



       Tacoma                                 Centro Latino
                                    1208 S 10th St., Tacoma, WA 98405
    (253) 572-7717


       Tukwila                          Showalter Middle School
    (206) 723-2203                 4628 S 144th St., Tukwila, WA 98168



      Wenatchee                      Wenatchee Community Center
    (509) 888-1561                 504 S Chelan, Wenatchee, WA 98801



       Yakima                              Vida Nueva Church
    (509) 469-7700                  1115 S 5th Ave, Yakima, WA 98902
                                             You need to

     •   Be at least 18 years old by the date you file
     •   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 present in the U.S. for 2-1/2 of the past five years (or 1-1/2 of the past three, if
         married to a U.S. citizen), and have not been outside the U.S. for one year or more within the
         last five years (or three years, if married to a U.S. citizen)


                       Wenatchee                                           Wenatchee Community Center
                      (509) 888-1561                                     504 S Chelan, Wenatchee, WA 98801


                         Yakima                                                  Vida Nueva Church
                      (509) 469-7700                                      1115 S 5th Ave, Yakima, WA 98902

                                                    In partnership with
    Asian Counseling & Referral Service • Casa Latina • Catholic Refugee & Immigrant Services • Centralia
 Community College • Centro Latino • Clallam-Jefferson County Pro Bono Lawyers • Comité Pro- Amnistia
Centro de la Raza • Hate Free Zone • Latina/o Bar Association of WA • Lutheran Community Services NW •
 Federation of Filipino American Assoc. • Northwest Immigrant Rights Project • Skagit Valley College • Sea
     Community Health Centers • Vida Nueva Church • Washington CAN! • Wenatchee Community Center


                              What to Bring to Citizenship Day
Everyone
   • Your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
   • $20 fee for assistance (includes the cost of copies – cash, check
       or money order made payable to "AILA Washington")
   • List of home addresses for the past five years and the dates
       during which you resided at these addresses
   • List of employer names and addresses for the past five years,
       including the dates you worked with these employers
   • Dates you have been outside of the U.S. since becoming a
       permanent resident and the countries you traveled to during these
        trips. Bring your passport, itineraries, and, if available,
        tickets to track all trips made outside the USA.
    •   Your children’s complete names, dates of birth, and their A#s
        (alien registration numbers) if they have one
    •   Your most recent tax return
    •   $675 filing fee (exceptions possible)
    •   2 color passport photos
    •   If possible bring an interpreter to translate

Other documents
   • If the name on your green card is different than your current legal name:
       Bring the documents that legally changed your name (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court
       document).

    •   If you are applying for US citizenship based upon a marriage to a US citizen bring:
             o Information about your spouse and his or her previous marriages and divorces
             o Documents showing that you and your spouse are still living together (examples: tax
                 returns, bank statements, leases, mortgages, birth certificates of your children).

    •   If you have been married more than one time:
             o Bring marriage certificate and divorce (or death) decree, or specific dates of all marriages
                 and divorces.
             o Bring proof of your payment of any court ordered support of any dependents.

    •   If you have been outside the US for more than 6 months in any year since becoming a
        Permanent Resident:
             o Bring details about the dates you left and came back to the US, and proof that you
                 maintained a job or home in the U.S.

    •   If you have a dependent spouse or children who do not live with you bring:
             o Any court order requiring you to pay financial support;
             o Evidence of your financial support for your dependents (examples: cancelled checks,
                 money order receipts, evidence of wage garnishments, or letter from the parent or
                 guardian who cares for your children).

    •   If you think you have been arrested, detained, or if you have had to appear before a court
        for any reason whether in the last five years or earlier:
             o Bring ALL court and police documents (examples: police report, court appearance and
                 disposition)
             o EXCEPTION--Minor traffic violations (examples: parking tickets, speeding tickets).

    •   If your federal, state, or local taxes are overdue (or you have failed to pay them):
             Bring copies of any documents, letters, or papers you sent to or received from the government
             about the problem.

    •   Selective Service: In general, all men ages 18 to 25 present in the U.S. (regardless of citizenship
        or immigration status) are required to register for the U.S. Selective Service.

             Questions? Call the site or email: wacitizenshipday@gmail.com

            You will not be tested on English/History at the workshop.