DHS Announces Temporary Protected Status Designations for Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone

Due to the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has announced his decision to designate Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months.  As a result, eligible nationals of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone who are currently residing in the United States may apply for TPS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The Federal Register notices provide details and procedures for applying for TPS and are available at www.uscis.gov/tps.

The TPS designations for the three countries are effective Nov. 21, 2014 and will be in effect for 18 months. The designations mean that eligible nationals of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone (and people without nationality who last habitually resided in one of those three countries) will not be removed from the United States and are authorized to work and obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The 180-day TPS registration period begins Nov. 21, 2014 and runs through May 20, 2015.

To be eligible for TPS, applicants must demonstrate that they satisfy all eligibility criteria, including that they have been “continuously residing” in the United States since Nov. 20, 2014 and “continuously physically present in” the United States since Nov. 21, 2014.  Applicants also undergo thorough security checks.  Individuals with certain criminal records or who pose a threat to national security are not eligible for TPS. The eligibility requirements are fully described in the Federal Register notices and on the TPS Web page at www.uscis.gov/tps

Liberians currently covered under the two-year extension of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) based on President Obama’s Sept. 26, 2014 memorandum may apply for TPS. If they do not apply for TPS within the initial 180-day registration period, they risk being ineligible for TPS because they will have missed the initial registration period. Liberians covered by DED who already possess or have applied for an EAD do not need to also apply for one related to this TPS designation. However, such individuals who are granted TPS may request a TPS-related EAD at a later date as long as the TPS designation for Liberia remains in effect.

Applicants may request that USCIS waive any or all fees based on demonstrated inability to pay by filing Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or by submitting a written request. Fee-waiver requests must be accompanied by supporting documentation. USCIS will reject any TPS application that does not include the required filing fee or a properly documented fee-waiver request.

All USCIS forms are free. Applicants can download these forms from the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/forms or request them by calling USCIS toll-free at 1-800-870-3676

Pro Bono Citizenship Day, March 29, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To:                  Press and Media Outlets

From:              Michelle Kobler, Esq. on behalf of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) - Philadelphia Chapter-mkobler@klaskolaw.com, 215-825-8606

Date:              

Re:                  Pro Bono Citizenship Day – March 29, 2014

Helping Our Community Members Become U.S. Citizens:

Pro Bono Citizenship Day on Saturday, March 29, 2014

For more than 200 years, America has remained strong because of its diverse citizenship and the common civic values we share.  Pro Bono Citizenship Day is a national initiative convened by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and local partner organizations. In Philadelphia, the partnership groups are holding the event on Saturday, March 29^th, earlier than the national event scheduled for April 26^th to increase law student participation.  During the day, eligible low income permanent residents (green card holders) will receive free assistance and legal representation in applying for U.S. citizenship.  This year, Philadelphia AILA is partnering with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs and other numerous community organizations and bar associations to offer Pro Bono Citizenship Day in two sites in Philadelphia and in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and York counties.  Co-sponsored by more than a dozen local organizations throughout the region, Pro Bono Citizenship Day has broad support in the communities of eastern Pennsylvania. 

“Pro Bono Citizenship Day is an important part of our Administration’s efforts to promote the benefits of citizenship on a year-round basis.  It is estimated that in Philadelphia today, there are 50,000 residents who are eligible to become naturalized citizens, but don’t follow through due to financial or other hardships,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter.  “Pro Bono Citizenship Day, with the help of local lawyers, law firms, universities, individuals and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs, will help Philadelphia’s aspiring citizens to achieve their dream.  I want to thank the American Immigration Lawyers Association and its partners for organizing this exciting opportunity.”

 

The Pro Bono Citizenship Day lead-up activities begin in mid- March. Immigration attorneys from the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) will present Citizenship Information Sessions at local community organization sites (details provided on following page), and encourage all interested green card holders to attend.   The presenters will explain the U.S. citizenship process and assess an individual’s eligibility for citizenship.  In general, those who have had their “green cards” for 5 years (or 3 years if they are married to U.S. citizens) who can speak, read and write English, are eligible to apply for citizenship.  At the information sessions individuals learn if they meet the eligibility requirements and then schedule an appointment for assistance on Pro Bono Citizenship Day:  Saturday, March 29, 2014.

Pro Bono Citizenship Day will be staffed by volunteer attorneys, legal assistants, interpreters and other community members who have completed AILA-led trainings on the laws and process of obtaining U.S. citizenship. The volunteer teams will guide eligible permanent residents through the application for naturalization and represent them in the process.  Pro Bono Citizenship Day assistance is offered at no cost*, and therefore is aimed at eligible low-income permanent residents who would not otherwise be able to afford legal assistance with the application process. In addition to application assistance, this year we will offer assistance in applying for a waiver of the application fee.

Becoming a U.S. citizen is a win-win for immigrants and the communities they live in.  New citizens gain voting rights, personal and family security, and job opportunities.  In turn, they help keep America strong and vibrant by contributing their voices to the civic dialogue, their efforts and initiatives to growing and innovating our economy, and their dedication to the American ideals of freedom and democracy.  In early May 2014, the naturalization application form required for submission will dramatically change, so all interested applicants are encouraged to attend this year to avoid a lengthier form.

* $10 is requested to cover the cost of certified mailing

Sponsors:  Pro Bono Citizenship Day is a collaborative community-wide project, sponsored by the American Immigration Lawyers Association – Philadelphia Chapter, African Family Health Organization, Asian Pacific American Bar Association-PA, Barrister’s Association of Philadelphia, Brandeis Law Society, Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia, Church World Service, Lancaster, Esperanza Immigration Legal Services, HIAS Pennsylvania, Keystone Opportunities Center and the Lansdale Public Library, Mayor’s Office on Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs (MOIMA), Multicultural Community Family Services of Upper Darby, Nationalities Service Center, Pennsylvania Bar Immigration Committee, Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition , Philadelphia VIP, Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center, and the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians. More organizations are joining every day.

Information Sessions:  Citizenship Information Sessions will cover three topics:

1.       Explanation of the U.S. citizenship application process and eligibility criteria

2.       Individual screening for eligibility

3.       Appointment scheduling and review of supporting documents required for March 29

The Citizenship Information Sessions and screenings will be conducted in English.  Interested applicants who need language assistance are asked to bring their own reliable interpreter.

Citizenship Information and Application Assistance Sessions will be held at locations throughout Eastern Pennsylvania:

Chester County                   Monday, March 10, 5:30pm            St. Rocco Center

9016 Gap Newport Pike

Avondale, PA 19311

Return to same site for Citizenship Day, March 29th

Delaware County               Saturday, March 22, 12pm              Multicultural Community Family Services

                                                                                                                7016 Terminal Square

Upper Darby, PA  19082   

484-461-8660

Return to same site for Citizenship Day, March 29th

                               

Montgomery County         Tuesday, March 18, 6pm                 Trinity Church*

1000 W. Main Street

Lansdale, PA 19446

215-368-1710

*Sponsored by Keystone Opportunity Center

Go to different site for Citizenship Day, March 29th

Lansdale Library

301 Vine St, Lansdale, PA 19446

Philadelphia #1                  Wednesday, March 19, 6pm            Esperanza

                                                                                                                4261 North 5th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19140

Return to same site for Citizenship Day, March 29th              

Philadelphia #2                  Thursday, March 20, 6pm               Nationalities Service Center

                                                                                                                1216 Arch Street, 4^th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19107

Return to same site for Citizenship Day, March 29th              

Philadelphia #3                  Sunday, March 23, 1pm                   First Haitian Church of God of Prophecy

                                                                                                                2061 E. Chelten Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19138

Go to different sites for Citizenship Day, March 29th

Nationalities Service Center or Esperanza

               

York County                        Saturday, March 22, 11am              Martin Library

                                                                                                                159 E. Market Street

York, PA  17401 

Return to same site for Citizenship Day, March 29th

                                                                                                               

Interested attorneys:   Attorneys from all practice areas are being recruited to offer pro bono service.  Training, CLE credit and on-site support will be provided. Interested attorneys should attend an informational training session, and sign up by contacting:

Lourena Gboeah                                                                                 Michelle Kobler

lgboeah@HIASPA.org                                                       mkobler@klaskolaw.com

215-832-0913* Wed- Friday only                                       215-825-8606

Judith Bernstein-Baker, Esq.

jbernsteinbaker@hiaspa.org

215-832-0900

USCIS Honors Military Veterans During Naturalization Ceremonies

Release Date: November 08, 2013

WASHINGTON—In recognition of Veterans Day, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will conduct naturalization ceremonies across the country that will feature military members, military spouses and veterans taking the Oath of Allegiance to become U.S. citizens. From Nov. 7-13, USCIS is welcoming approximately 8,000 new U.S. citizens during 120 naturalization ceremonies throughout the nation and overseas.

Since September 2002, USCIS has naturalized more than 92,000 members of the military, including nearly 11,000 who received their citizenship overseas.

“Throughout our history, thousands of immigrants have made extraordinary sacrifices for this country through military service,” USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas said. “These men and women pledged to defend our nation to protect liberties they had yet to secure for themselves. We salute all our veterans for helping to preserve this nation as a beacon of hope and opportunity.”

USCIS’s Veterans Day celebration will feature a Nov. 13 naturalization ceremony at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. During this event, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Rand Beers will administer the Oath, and USCIS Deputy Director Lori Scialabba will recognize Dr. Rahul Jindal, a transplant surgeon at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., as an Outstanding American by Choice.

Other ceremony highlights include events at:

• Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum in Pittsburgh on Nov. 8;
• Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan on Veterans Day (Nov. 11);
• Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, on Veterans Day (Nov. 11); and
• The Old State House in Hartford, Conn., on Nov. 13.

Additionally, five recruits will become new citizens at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego through the Naturalization at Basic Training Initiative. USCIS developed this program with the Department of Defense to allow noncitizen military enlistees to complete the naturalization process during basic training. Previously, it could prove challenging to naturalize active duty members of the armed services who may have been deployed to locations around the world.

USCIS invites new citizens and their families and friends to share their experiences from the ceremonies through Twitter using the hashtag #newUScitizen.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook (/uscis), and the USCIS blog The Beacon.