by Bobby Larsen
The man who sat down next to me had left his war-torn homeland with his young family in the late 1990s. After a couple years in Egypt, he made his way to the United States and has lived in Omaha for around eighteen years with his wife and their now seven children. After nearly two decades living and working here, it was time to fill out his N-400 form to apply for US citizenship.
My role was a simple but important one - help the man fill out the form accurately and completely. Four or five times a year, Catholic Charities’ Immigrant Legal Services program conducts naturalization workshops to help clients, all of whom are lawful permanent residents, apply for the naturalization process. To ensure these workshops can help all the clients, volunteers, including many law students, are needed to assist clients with their paperwork. Training is provided prior to each workshop to ensure volunteers are able to help the clients to the best of their abilities.
While the application forms are looked at by a lawyer prior to submission, Jessica Bernal, Senior Director for the Immigration Legal Services program said, “Without these wonderful volunteers, we would not be able to help as many clients.”
Working with the clients was a wonderful experience. In talking with the man I worked with, I learned that his son was a one-time high school basketball star in the area. He gave a knowing chuckle when I noted that his son had helped obliterate my high school’s basketball team at state my junior year. It was exciting to know that this man who had been here for so long and had been a part of our community for many years was finally going to be a citizen.
Bernal noted that, in 2020, there may be an increase in clients wishing to apply for naturalization: “During an election year, we see many long-time lawful permanent residents with a desire to achieve the dream of United States citizenship and participate in one of our most fundamental and valued traditions: open and fair elections.”
To address the need, Catholic Charities’ Immigration Legal Services has already scheduled four naturalization workshops for 2020, with the possibility of adding more if needed. The four workshops, which are always held on Saturday mornings in Omaha, will be held on March 7th, May 16th, August 1st, and November 7th. Volunteering at one of these workshops counts for pro bono hours that can be credited toward a Pro Bono Certificate. Students interested in volunteering can sign up or find out more information by contacting Maria Nevarez at MariaN@ccomaha.org.
Bobby Larsen is a second-year student at the University of Nebraska College of Law and a contributing writer for JDs Advancing Justice. Bobby also serves as Vice President of the Equal Justice Society, Community Legal Education Project, and American Constitution Society and as a member of the Student-Faculty Honor Committee, Student Faculty Committee and Pro Bono Committee. He is the college's Equal Justice Works Student Representative and an ex officio member of the Nebraska State Bar Association's Legal Services Committee.