Helping immigrants become citizens

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The path to American citizenship can be a long, difficult journey, but many immigrants across Central Texas may be readily eligible without realizing it.

Now they're getting some help.

The Immigrant Services Network is planning an outreach event Sept. 18 to identify those folks and help them clear immigration hurdles.

"We want to identify people who need help learning to read, or perhaps need help filing their taxes or correcting tax returns or perhaps need an attorney who can clear up some legal issue, whether it be a family law issue or a criminal law issue," said Thomas Esparza, chairman of Austin's Commission on Immigrant Affairs .

There are several criteria on the citizenship path, including:

• English skills
• Up-to-date child support or tax payments
• A clean legal record
• No lies to the bureaucracy

Someone, for example, faking an American spouse, if found out, will not get citizenship. If you are here legally, it can take six to ten years to establish permanent residency, or a green card. Getting actual citizenship can take another three to five years on top of that.

Paul Parsons, an immigration attorney for 32 years, says getting the green card can be the toughest step.

"Thats the hardest part of all," he said. "Fitting into one of the peg holes and waiting on waiting lists for years, as a relative of a U.S. citizen or a key employee of a company. It's very difficult to immigrate."

The Sept. 18 outreach event is still being planned, but during that month there will be screening application forms available at select public libraries, the Austin Community College campus and at nonprofit immigration service centers.

Everyone at the event must be a legal resident. Several private businesses and public institutions have offered to help sponsor the event, which is expected to draw hundreds.