HOUSTON, Tx. – Nearly three dozen journalists and media professionals from multiethnic, multi-language outlets gathered Tuesday at Houston City Hall for a Houston Ethnic Media news briefing on the launch of “Naturalize Now, Houston!”, a campaign by the National Partnership for New Americans to promote naturalization by eligible immigrants. NPNA cohosted the briefing.
The City of Houston, Harris County, Houston Endowment, Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative (HILSC) and other nonprofit organizations are also a part of this unprecedented public-private partnership. According to NPNA, there are 300,000 lawful permanent residents in the region who are eligible to apply for citizenship.
Houston Endowment is funding this initiative with a $2.13 million grant to NPNA to strengthen and expand naturalization programming, along with $1.65 million for “Give Citizenship A Boost,” a program to fund application fees for eligible immigrants. Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative is leading that project.
“When eligible individuals become naturalized citizens, they unlock opportunities for greater stability and prosperity and make our region stronger as a whole,” said Ann B. Stern, President and CEO of Houston Endowment. “Houston is home to 300,000 legal permanent residents who add to the rich diversity of our city. We want to ensure these individuals are equipped with the information and resources they need to become full and active participants in our community.”
Testimonies were given during the event from community members sharing their experiences in the process for citizenship.
Born in the Central African Republic, Hervé-Michel Jackson Bremaidou was living in the U.S. as an international student when civil war broke out in his native country. Eight years after obtaining asylum, Mr. Jackson Bremaidou is now a U.S. citizen.
“Becoming a U.S citizen is like a superhero joining the Justice League, alongside amazing heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman. Let’s accomplish greatness by being the indivisible one American nation under God.”
“People need help and I find myself now trying to help other people. If you are young and coming into a country where everything is fast and new, you have to stay on that path and the vision you have for yourself and the people around you.”
In Suk Min, originally from South Korea, has been a lawful permanent resident for 25 years. She has wanted to apply for citizenship, but worried about her English ability and about finding the funds to apply.
“I heard that (the local advocacy non-profit) Woori Juntos and various organizations are helping people like me, who have permanent residency but not yet received citizenship, through free counseling and citizenship application help, and volunteers in various languages. Now, I am going to go forward and apply.”
Through Naturalize Now, Houston! NPNA will train teams of Citizenship Community Navigators, together with local partners Mi Familia Vota, Woori Juntos, OCA-Greater Houston, and SAAVETX Education, to reach the eligible-to-naturalize people across greater Houston.
The Citizenship Community Navigators are trusted leaders within their communities, many of whom have personal experience with the naturalization process. Their job is to address language barriers, help community members navigate the naturalization process, and connect them to low-cost legal services as well as financial assistance for application fees.
“No one should be priced out of participating in our democracy,” said Nicole Melaku, Executive Director of National Partnership for New Americans.
“We know that community-based media are the most trusted sources of information for people across greater Houston, and that local governments play a critical role in advancing citizenship initiatives for their residents. If we are going to reach 300,000 eligible people with information, tools, and help so that they can become full U.S. citizens, we need everyone’s help,” she added.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner roused the audience with remarks stressing the advantages that come with citizenship, both for individuals and the broader community. “Becoming a U.S. citizen is an important step towards full participation in our society,” he said. “By doing so, we enhance Houston’s unity and prosperity.”
He also committed his office to this burgeoning collaboration aimed at encouraging more residents to apply for citizenship, noting to loud applause, “That’s just the way we do it in the city of Houston!”
Tuesday’s event is also part of ongoing efforts to raise the visibility of Houston’s growing ethnic media sector and the diverse audiences that it serves.
Lorenza Butler, Publisher of the Southern Chinese Daily News and Houston Informer, said at the event’s close, “As a broadcast owner for the last 35 years and as a publisher for the last 30 years, I have never seen this much ethnic media in one room.”
