San Francisco citizenship collaborative celebrates 12 years and 14,000 new citizens

SAN FRANCISCO – In celebration of National Citizenship Day, San Francisco is encouraging eligible green card holders to naturalize now with upcoming free workshops hosted by the City. Through the San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative, these workshops will offer free resources including onsite interpreters and pro-bono attorneys to provide guidance in the application process and help those who need it apply for fee waivers.

Funded by the City and local foundation partners, the San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative has held 95 free workshops across the city, provided legal screenings to over 20,000 immigrants, and saved applicants over $7 million in application fees. In 2017, the Initiative launched its Lawyers in the Library partnership with the San Francisco Public Library to help applicants apply for citizenship through computer-based workshops. In 2018, it partnered with the San Francisco International Airport to allow employees and their families to apply for citizenship at the airport. SF Pathways also helps connect applicants with English as a Second Language (ESL) and citizenship classes through City College of San Francisco and other organizations.

“San Francisco is a city that welcomes immigrants. People who come here from across the world have helped make our city into what it is today. As we stand here, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting that legacy,” said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. “On this Citizenship Day, let us commit to keeping San Francisco a place where we celebrate new neighbors and welcome all those who want to call this city home.”

In a workshop earlier this week, over 100 people used the resources offered to apply for U.S. citizenship. Two more free workshops will be hosted in October and November. The free workshops are the latest events organized by the San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative to help make citizenship more accessible and affordable.

“Since the inception of the non-profit collaborative San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative (SFPCI) in 2013, we have been celebrating National Citizenship Day every year,” said Anni Chung, president and CEO of Self-Help for the Elderly, the Initiative’s lead organization. “We’re proud of our impact: SFPCI has assisted over 14,000 on their journey to become U.S. citizens.”

“Citizenship is a pathway to opportunity and full participation in the life of our city and the Pathways to Citizenship Initiative is one critical way we are working collaboratively to support the social and economic well-being of our immigrant community,” said Carmen Chu, City Administrator. “San Francisco and this country's history and success was built on the backs of immigrants. We are stronger when we are connected to the diverse world around us and I thank Self-Help for the Elderly and all our community partners for their engagement in this effort.”

Those who choose to naturalize often experience additional legal and professional benefits. Naturalized citizens can also petition for family members, be eligible for federal programs and public benefits, travel freely, and vote. Studies show that naturalized citizens are more likely to get a job and earn 8 to 11 percent more than green card holders.

“Becoming a U.S. citizen is one of the most valuable steps you can take for yourself and your family, and there are resources and organizations in San Francisco that are here to help,” said Jorge Rivas, director of the Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA) and secretary of the San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission. “The San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative free workshops remove barriers by making the process of becoming a U.S. citizen accessible and affordable.”

Applicants in San Francisco can also get help covering the cost of the application through the City’s partnership with local non-profit organization Mission Asset Fund. The City and County of San Francisco provides a 50% match through Mission Asset Fund, for applicants who live, work, or attend school in San Francisco. Applicants can use the 50% match to pay the filing fee for naturalization or other immigration benefits including Temporary Protected Status (TPS), green card applications, family petitions, or renewal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

For more information about upcoming free citizenship workshops, go to: sfcitizenship.org. To make an appointment, applicants can leave a message on one of their multilingual hotlines:

• English: 415-662-8901
• Spanish: 415-662-8902
• Chinese: 415-295-5894
• Filipino: 415-498-0735
• Russian: 415-754-3818
• Vietnamese: 415-295-5894

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About the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA)
The Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA) is a policy, compliance, direct services and grantmaking office. OCEIA’s mission is to promote inclusive policies and foster immigrant assistance programs that lead to full civic, economic and linguistic inclusion. OCEIA seeks a safe, engaged and inclusive San Francisco where everyone can contribute and thrive.
Learn more: sf.gov/oceia

About the San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative
The San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative was established in 2013 by the late Mayor Edwin M. Lee as a public-private partnership between local foundations and the City and County of San Francisco’s Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA) to promote citizenship and civic participation among San Francisco’s naturalization-eligible immigrants.

The San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative partners include:

• Self-Help for the Elderly (lead agency)
• Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach
• Immigration Institute of the Bay Area
• Jewish Family and Children’s Services
• Jubilee Immigration Advocates
• La Raza Community Resource Center
• We RISE SF

Learn more: sfcitizenship.org