The City of Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) is teaming up with local community groups to offer citizenship clinics aimed at guiding eligible residents through the naturalization process. Volunteer attorneys, interpreters, and other professionals will provide hands-on assistance at these events.
The upcoming clinic will take place on Saturday, September 28, at the Delridge Community Center, located at 4501 Delridge Way SW, from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Those interested in attending should reach out to the International Rescue Committee at (206) 900-7714 to make an appointment. Registrants are required to fill out a form or leave a message at the provided number, with assurance that a representative will return their call. According to the City of Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, while the September clinic is billed as the most significant of the year, smaller clinics will continue throughout fall, offering multiple opportunities for participation.
The initiative behind these clinics, the New Citizen Campaign (NCC), was crafted with the intent to dive deeper into the heart of democracy by fostering a more inclusive and engaged citizenry. By helping immigrants to become U.S. citizens, the NCC enhances individuals' access to rights, such as protection from deportation and the right to vote. As described by their website, the NCC began in 2016 and heightens citizenship education and services via its partnership with 11 community-based organizations.
In its effort to boost civic engagement, the NCC reached roughly 240 community members in 2023, extending services to people hailing from 34 different countries and assisting speakers of over 14 languages. This year's citizenship clinics are brought to life through collaboration with organizations like Asian Counseling & Referral Service, Catholic Immigration Legal Services, and several others dedicated to the mission of empowering future U.S. citizens. For a full list of partners and clinic schedules, visit the OIRA website.
