Citizenship Day has become an annual Northeast Florida success, thanks to the many local pro bono attorneys that participate in this important event.
Attorneys volunteered their time and knowledge on Saturday, April 14, at Florida Coastal School of Law. The program provided assistance to local immigrants who are lawful permanent residents eligible to apply for naturalization.
The attorneys viewed a naturalization CLE webinar session to gain knowledge on how to prepare the application and possible pitfalls.
The fifth annual local Citizenship Day was sponsored by the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Florida Coastal School of Law, The Jacksonville Bar Association and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. Similar events are held nationwide.
Law students were on hand to provide support and assistance to the attendees and attorneys. Many students and 38 attorneys provided these important services to more than 100 applicants.
Students assisted pre-screened applicants in their filing of naturalization documents and volunteer attorneys reviewed the applications and documentation.
“This is a life-changing event for the applicants who are here today,” said one of this year’s Citizenship Day organizers, Kara Roberts.
“These are people who have found a safe haven and an opportunity here in the United States. They are hardworking, positive contributors in our community. Their goal to achieve citizenship is a dream for them. It’s very rewarding for all of us to help make that dream a reality,” she said.
The event was held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Florida Coastal. Many applicants also received information about local services available to help with English and preparation for the required civics test.
Many thanks to the pro bono attorneys who volunteered their time to make this year’s event possible: Rebecca Caballero, Paul Christensen, Beverly Clarke, Matt Detzel, Brenda Drake, Suzanne Ducille, Melody Eaton, Joanne Fakhre, Ben Fernandez, Boris Galustov, Laura Gapske, Ardian Gjoka, Ada Hammond, Joseph Hamrick, Ray Hill, Millie Kanyar, Josh Kesselman, Lauren Jannelle, Yelena Kostyuk, Jeremy Lasnetski, Shana Loomar, David Mann, Karen Millard, Shea Moser, Vanessa Newtson, Leslie Ng, Susan Pai, Anna Reynolds, Kara Roberts, Michele Rollins, Erik Rosskopf, Michael Sharrit, Matt Spohrer, Dan Stocker, Cyndy Trimmer, Lindsay Tygart, Amber Williams and Karen Winston.
Attorneys interested in more information about pro bono opportunities throughout the Fourth Judicial Circuit are encouraged to contact Kathy Para, Chairperson, The JBA Pro Bono Committee, at [email protected]