About 160 people are expected to attend a free citizenship workshop Saturday
About 160 people are expected to attend a free citizenship workshop Saturday organized by a team of Asian American organization officials who hope to make new voters in Orange County.
The Asian Pacific American Legal Center and other Asian American and Pacific Islander organizations plan to hold three simultaneous workshops in the county to help people take the first steps of applying for U.S. citizenship.
“Orange County has the third largest Asian American Pacific Islander population in the country,” stated Connie Choi, staff attorney with the legal center. “Yet, many of its residents aren’t citizens due to language barriers and the high cost of citizenship. Even less of them are part of the voting electorate.”
The organization wants to foster civic engagement of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by encouraging them to become naturalized, Choi said in a written statement.
The 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. workshop will be held at three separate sites in Westminster, Santa Ana and Irvine. Korean and Chinese speakers will be at KIA Motors America on Peters Canyon in Irvine.
Vietnamese speakers will be hosted by Boat People SOS on Bolsa Avenue in Westminster and Khmer speakers are expected at The Cambodian Family on Fourth Street in Santa Ana.
The workshops are at capacity so no more walk-ins are being accepted, stated Rachanee Srisavasdi, spokeswoman for the Asian Pacific American Legal Center. However, those interested can still contact the centers to make future appointments.
The citizen day is part of a statewide Asian American and Pacific Islander Naturalization Network.
The Cambodian Family, Boat People SOS and Korean Community Services are leading the campaign’s workshops in the county.
The free workshops are supposed to help green card holders determine their eligibility for citizenship. Staff, attorneys and trained volunteers are expected to help people complete their naturalization application and determine whether they’re eligible for various waivers.
For more information on making future appointments call 714- 449-1125 in Irvine, 714-897-2214 in Westminster and 714 571-1966 in Santa Ana.
Contact the writer:714-796-7924 or ccarcamo@ocregister.com or www.twitter.com/thecindycarcamo