July 31, 2010
Saturday

It is lamentable to note that Legitimate Permanent Residents (LPRs) takes the cudgel in spending their own money to go to Juneau to avail of the applications for US Citizenship (N400).

I have made efforts to help our LPRs working in the different fish processing companies stationed in Ketchikan and locations within the vicinity of Ketchikan, but sad to see that during these processes, these applicants have to pick from their own pockets a round trip ticket to Juneau to do their biometrics, absent from their jobs, and later to return for an interview with the USCIS Office again. Finally, the last and final stages of the N400 process is the taking of the oath of allegiance as US citizens.

The Public Assistance Office have introduced the ESL seminars twice a week and because of the time alloted, the LPRs applicants just could not attend as they are working during this time.

I offered to train a 2 or 4 applicants in my own house, guide them in filling out the forms downloaded from the computer, and a class on the newly revised questionnaires as a subject to pass the interview test in civics and history of the country itself.

If only the Borough or the City of Ketchikan can have elected officials requiring that the USCIS Office be placed within the City of Ketchikan, the poor applicants who are working hard can be served with their willingness to join the American society in a convenient way.

I hope and pray that consideration be given by incumbent and elected constituents of the Ketchikan Borough or the City of Ketchikan submit a resolution in putting up a USCIS Office within the city.

Jose S Garcia
joeygarcia_jmg[AT]yahoo.com
Ketchikan, AK

Received July 31, 2010 - Published July 31, 2010

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