ANAHEIM, CA—Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) encourages all legal permanent residents to apply for U.S. citizenship by July 30th because that is the date that the federal government will increase the citizenship fee from $400 to $675.

“My office will be volunteering at four citizenship fairs in the coming weeks to help legal permanent residents achieve their dream of becoming U.S. citizens.  These fairs represent a great opportunity for hardworking permanent residents and their families to begin the path of becoming U.S. citizens before the federal fees go up at the end of July,” said Assemblyman Solorio.

See below for more information on Citizenship Fairs and other organizations that provide citizenship services.   

Federal immigration data shows that there are 8 million legal permanent residents in the United States that are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.  The majority come from Latin American Countries.

Immigrants typically must be legal residents for five years before applying for citizenship.  The U.S. citizenship application process usually takes about six months.

“As an immigrant myself, who is the son and grandson of farm workers, I encourage all those who are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship to do so because it provides significant benefits both for the country and the immigrants themselves.  Obtaining citizenship allows immigrants to fully participate in the U.S. democratic process by permitting them to vote in elections, run for office, and work in many state jobs,” said Assemblyman Solorio.

“Naturalization is also a powerful symbolic gesture of commitment to the United States.  By taking the oath of citizenship, naturalizing immigrants pledge to support the values and laws of the United States,” said Assemblyman Solorio. 

The naturalization process provides a strong incentive for immigrants to deepen their integration into the country by improving their English and learning more about the United States and its history.  Other benefits of citizenship for the immigrants themselves are also very significant: the ability to travel freely in and out of the country with a U.S. passport, U.S. government protection and assistance when abroad, substantially increased ability to sponsor relatives living abroad, and protection against deportation.    

Assemblyman Solorio has put together a Bilingual Naturalization Guide to assist Orange County residents with the citizenship process that includes information on the citizenship process and a list of questions and answers that are commonly asked during the exam process.  The guide will be available at the Citizenship Fairs and can be accessed on Assemblyman Solorio’s website www.assembly.ca.gov/solorio (see Resources section) or be ordered by calling Assemblyman Solorio’s District Office at (714)-939-8469.  

Upcoming Citizenship Fairs:

Friday, July 6, 2007 / 5 am – 7 pm
Orange Education Center
1465 N. Batavia St.
Orange, CA 92867
INFO: 714-628-5928

Monday, July 9, 2007 / 2 pm – 7 pm
Anaheim Marketplace
1440 South Anaheim Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92805
INFO: 714-713-3065

Saturday, July 21, 2007 / 7 am – 7 pm
Santa Ana College
1530 W. 17th St. (at Bristol St.)
Santa Ana, CA 92706
INFO: 714-241-5730

Sunday, July 22, 2007 / 8 am – 4 pm
Downtown Santa Ana – Fiesta Marketplace
300 East 4th St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
INFO: 714-713-3065

Organizations Offering Citizenship Services:

Santa Ana College Centennial Education Center
2900 West Edinger Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92704
Phone: 714-241-5730

Santiago Canyon College Education Center
1465 N. Batavia St.
Orange, CA 92864
Phone: 714-628-5928

Hispano America Immigration
2751 East Chapman Ave., Ste. 202
Fullerton, CA 92831
Phone: 714-713-306

Hermandad Mexicana Nacional
1103 W. 17th St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
Phone: 714-541-2000

Catholic Charities of Orange County
1800 E. McFadden Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: 714-347-9600

Assemblyman Solorio has also proposed a resolution, Assembly Joint Resolution 18, that calls on President George W. Bush and the U.S. Congress to oppose the proposed citizenship fee increase that is scheduled to take effect July 30th.  The resolution passed the State Assembly and is pending in the Senate.

Assemblyman Jose Solorio represents the Sixty-Ninth Assembly District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana.  For more information about Assemblyman Solorio you can visit www.assembly.ca.gov/solorio.