Immigrants in Central Florida receive support on their journey to US citizenship at a free clinic

ORLANDO, Fla. – The process of becoming a U.S. Citizen can often be lengthy and challenging, causing some individuals to procrastinate on pursuing it.

Over the weekend, the American Federation of Teachers, in collaboration with the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, the Florida Education Association, the Consulate of Mexico, and the Consul of the Dominican Republic, organized a citizenship clinic called “Together We Rise” at the Consulate of Mexico in Orlando.

“It’s a very tedious, very tedious, very expensive and very frightening journey,” AFT Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus said.

DeJesus said the clinics help people with the process of attaining U.S. citizenship through naturalization.

During the event, DeJesus highlighted the importance of providing a seamless and safe environment for individuals seeking citizenship, allowing them to ask questions and receive the necessary guidance. He emphasized the challenges some may face in gathering all the required documentation, especially if they have been in the country for an extended period without organizing their paperwork.

AFT estimates there are 9 million lawful permanent residents that are eligible for naturalization, with 880,000 being right here in Florida.

“Young man said to me one day, ‘I may not have the right papers, but I have the right values,’” DeJesus said. “Those are the values we’re looking for. The values of dignity, of justice, of love, of compassion, of being a great citizen. Isn’t that what America is about?”

State Rep. Johanna Lopez, D-Orlando, was also at Saturday’s clinic.

She said finishing the citizenship process is a priority for immigrants.

“We don’t know what is going to happen the next day,” Lopez said. “You know we are living in a challenging time with the current president, so I think that they know that they have to take this as a priority and do what they have to do in finishing their paperwork to become a citizen.”

To learn more about AFT and to see the organization’s immigration resources, click here.