What Does It Take To Be Citizen In Santa Clara County?

CAMPBELL, CA -- Santa Clara County and the city of San Jose are joining forces with community groups and immigrant rights advocates for Project New Citizen, a program to ensure local immigrants have the resources they need to become U.S. citizens.

Project New Citizen is a collaborative effort to support Santa Clara County residents in their journey toward citizenship. An estimated 100,000 legal permanent residents holding green cards in Santa Clara County are eligible to become citizens but have not yet applied.

A free citizenship workshop is scheduled at San Jose City College on Moorpark Avenue on April 13, with several morning sessions including 9, 9:30, 10, 11, 11:30 a.m. as well as noon. The workshop is open to anyone who wants to become a citizen.

For information regarding the assigned documents, visit https://www.e-immigrate.info/register/ or call 408-444-9975.

“We look forward to our upcoming Santa Clara County’s Citizenship Day, which is about bringing people together, building a community of new Americans and celebrating our residents’ pathway to citizenship,” said Deputy County Executive David Campos, who leads Santa Clara County's Office of Immigrant Relations.

Free immigration services will be provided in 14 languages including: Arabic, Assyrian, Amharic, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese. Services will also be provided by immigration lawyers and accredited representatives, who will help to determine citizenship eligibility. They will also assist with completing applications. The application fee is $725, but applicants may qualify for a fee waiver or discount if they can show proof of income to determine eligibility for financial assistance.

“Citizenship opens the doors to economic opportunity, civic engagement and offers security and protection,” said Zulma Maciel, director of San Jose's Office of Immigrant Affairs.

Citizenship gives the ability to vote in all elections and opens the opportunity for higher wages or new career choices. To be eligible for citizenship, a person needs to be 18 or older, be a lawful permanent resident for five years (three years if married to a U.S. citizen) and have maintained continuous residence during the past five years (three years if married to a U.S. citizen). Also required is proof of maintaining a physical presence during the past five years (three years if married to a U.S. citizen), good moral character, basic knowledge of U.S. history and civics and the willingness to take the Oath of Allegiance and be able to read, write, and speak basic English.