The Berkshire Immigrant Center will hold an open house
The Berkshire Immigrant Center will hold an open house on September 17th to commemorate our nation’s “Citizenship Day.” The event will be held at the Center’s office on the second floor of The First Baptist Church, 88 South Street, Pittsfield from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Staff members will be available to answer questions about citizenship and immigration on a first come, first served basis. An experienced immigration attorney will be present from 4:30 to 7:30 to provide free private consultations. The event is free and open to the public. Spanish speaking interpreters will be present and refreshments will be served.The purpose of Citizenship Day is to celebrate the privileges, rights, and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship, and to honor both native-born and naturalized citizens as well as the contributions of immigrants to our communities. Citizenship Day was established by President Harry Truman in 1952. September 17th was chosen because it was the day on which the U.S. Constitution was signed in 1787.
Citizenship Day is a chance to highlight the many benefits that citizenship brings to individuals, families, and communities. Among these are derivative citizenship for children, the ability to sponsor family members to legally immigrate to the U.S., the right to vote, the preservation of public benefits, protection from deportation, the ability to travel freely and safely on a U.S. passport, and increased access to public employment and educational scholarships.
The Berkshire Immigrant Center, a program of Berkshire Community Action Council, has been providing a full range of citizenship services to local residents since 1997. In 2007, the Center assisted over 100 Berkshire County residents to file applications and prepare for their naturalization interviews.
The Center also offers immigration benefit information and application support, advocacy, referrals and counseling to the growing immigrant communities in Berkshire County. The program is funded in part by the Berkshire United Way, the City of Pittsfield, the Mass Bar Foundation, the Citizenship for New Americans Program, the New World Fund, and the Berkshire Bank Foundation.
For more information about the Berkshire Immigrant or Citizenship Day, please call (413) 445-4881 or email info@berkshireic.com.
