The ninth annual Citizenship Day event was April 9 at Florida Coastal School of Law.
Local attorneys and law students volunteered their time and knowledge to assist legal permanent residents seeking citizenship status.
They also counseled applicants on completing documents and what to expect during the naturalization process.
The project received financial and/or in-kind support from the American Immigration Lawyers Association, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, The Jacksonville Bar Association and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.
Florida Coastal, its foundation, student Bar association and the Volunteer Immigrant Student Alliance also participated.
Before the event, attorneys viewed a naturalization CLE webinar to learn how to prepare the application and how to spot possible pitfalls. They provided free legal assistance to applicants who were pre-screened for eligibility.
Florida Coastal professor Kara Roberts coordinated the event. She is a JALA immigration attorney who teaches a clinic focused on outreach to immigrant residents of Northeast Florida.
“It’s our goal to make Citizenship Day better every year,” she said.
Citizenship Day is one of the JBA’s Law Week observances.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of perhaps the best-known U.S. Supreme Court case, Miranda v. Arizona.
The theme established by the American Bar Association for Law Day 2016 is “Miranda: More than Words.”
The theme explores the meaning behind “You have the right to remain silent, etc.,” including procedural protections afforded to all by the U.S. Constitution, how those rights are safeguarded by the courts and why the preservation of the principles is essential to liberty.
“The applicants served on Citizenship Day understand better than most of us how important the established laws of a country are in ensuring human rights and freedoms. Many of those served come from countries torn by discord and deeply weakened by civil rights abuses. These people remind us of how important our legal protections are in the U.S.,” said Emily O’Leary, chair of the JBA’s Law Week Committee.
While student volunteers helped people fill out naturalization applications, the attorneys advised applicants about issues that may arise and whether additional legal assistance may be advisable.
Attorneys then conducted a final review of the documents and made sure all applicants are eligible to apply for citizenship.
The event enabled over 80 potential citizens to complete the naturalization application process. Those who did not meet the eligibility requirements were referred to JALA for further pro bono representation or to other community agencies for assistance.
In total, nearly 100 immigrant residents were helped, making Citizenship Day 2016 another success and another meaningful pro bono effort.
Sincere thanks are extended to the pro bono attorneys who served at this year’s event: Vanessa Bernadotte, Zachary Bierman, Don Boggs, Melina Buncome, Luke Cornelius, Iana Darlington, John DeJesus, Lisette DeLeon, Lisa DiFranza, Joanne Fakhre, Lenny Feigel, Angela Mathews Gale, James Galloway, Vanessa Hill, Mark Hulsey, Shana Loomar, Kelli Lueckert, Jessica Narducci, Vanessa Newtson, Leslie Ng, Onochie Onwuemene, Ingrid Osborn, Andrea Reyes, Latangie Williams, Karen Winston, John Woodlee, Christina Chavez, Ericka Curran, Ada Hammond and Quince Hopkins.
For information on pro bono opportunities in the 4th Judicial Circuit or to be added to the list of attorneys interested in Citizenship Day 2017, contact Para at [email protected].