One Step Closer to Citizenship

On Saturday October 15, 2011, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Silver Spring, organized a half day workshop to process Legal Permanent Resident (Green Card) applications for eligible refugee clients. The workshop was coordinated in collaboration with the Baltimore United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and Georgetown Law students.  During the workshop, 18 refugees were assisted through the completion of the preliminary application process. The workshop was piloted by the IRC Silver Spring to expand access to immigration information and services for eligible refugees residing in the DC metropolitan area.  In the future, it is the Immigration Program’s intention to engage broader partnerships in the process and a discussion with American University to engage 35 law volunteers is under way (we love our DC-area University students!).   The current demand for immigrations services combined with the new law resources encouraged the IRC immigration team to plan for monthly workshops in the coming year.  The next event is tentatively scheduled for late November so keep your eyes on our website for news and ways in which you can participate in this exciting step on a refugees journey from harm to home.