Gioia, CUNY Help Put Immigrants On Path To U.S. Citizenship

City Councilmember Eric Gioia and a specially designed project offered by the City University of New York (CUNY) together are aiding immigrants who may need special assistance to become United States citizens.

Recently the lawmaker joined officials of the CUNY Citizenship and Immigration Project in offering those who are confused or unsure about the road to citizenship the opportunity to become more informed about the process.

At an Application Assistance Day at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City permanent residents brought with them the necessary documentation and received hands-on assistance and advice on completing the application for naturalization from Gioia and the CUNY officials. They also had a passport photo to be used in the process taken for free.

Gioia (D- Long Island City) explained: "Our goal is to help keep Queens the most culturally rich and diverse borough in New York. As a City Councilman, helping people navigate the system and providing the resources to succeed is a top priority.

"Citizenship empowers new Americans to be active participants in the democracy that makes our country so great."

Allan Wernick, director of the Citizenship and Immigration Project, rated the Application Assistance Day a great success.

"Councilmember Gioia and his staff addressed an important need, working to insure that immigrant New Yorkers get assistance in becoming U.S. citizens," Wernick said. "The CUNY Citizenship and Immigration Project was pleased to work with the councilman to provide this valuable free service."

Gioia said he believes strongly in the value of civic participation. In 2004, the lawmaker wrote and passed the Young Adult Voter Registration Act which has been, he said, instrumental in encouraging young New Yorkers to exercise their right to vote by providing all graduating high school seniors with a voter registration card.

Gioia said that the CUNY Citizenship and Immigration Project has provided free, confidential citizenship and immigration law services to aid immigrants on the path to U.S. citizenship since 1997. For more information on services provided, visit www.cuny.org /citizenshipnow.- John Toscano