Observing Constitution Day at US Together
Constitution Day is an observance of the day that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the United States Constitution: September 17, 1787. Although the original Constitution was far from perfect, it has been amended 27 times, often to clarify or expand on the rights and freedoms of the American people. One such amendment is the Fourteenth Amendment, which declares “all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States…” At US Together, we help many of our clients to secure the rights and responsibilities of naturalized citizenship through our civic integration programs—including citizenship courses and applications for naturalization. Our citizenship class is a central part of our broader effort provide comprehensive immigration services to refugees, new immigrants, and low-income applicants.
Layla Banaie, Volunteer Coordinator and Citizenship Teacher, pictured with client
Becoming a citizen of the United States brings important rights (such as participation in the political process) as well as solemn responsibilities (such as serving on a jury). For these reasons, the process of obtaining citizenship is lengthy, in many cases requiring permanent residence in the United States for five years. One of the final steps requires applicants to pass a test (covering US history and government topics) and interview with an officer from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
In most years, approximately 575,000 people become naturalized citizens of the United States. This year, due to the pandemic, the process has been slowed. However, US Together has been able to continue helping clients—our Citizenship Teacher, Layla, teaches our weekly citizenship class virtually, and our dedicated volunteers work with clients on an individual basis to address specific needs. Between January and June, even given the constraints of working remotely, US Together proudly assisted 47 clients in passing their interviews and becoming naturalized citizens of the United States!
Citizenship is not the only part of the US Constitution that crosses over with US Together’s work. Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution establishes the Census, a complete enumeration every ten years of every person (regardless of citizenship status) living in the United States. This year is a Census year, and US Together has been working hard to make sure that New Americans are fairly counted. The results of the Census help determine whether or not we are fairly represented in Congress (another Constitutional concept!), as well as the apportionment of federal dollars for many programs that help the most vulnerable and needy in our community.
The deadline to complete the Census is September 30, 2020. US Together case managers have personally reached out to nearly 100 limited-English-proficiency families to ensure that they have completed the Census. We also helped to host a Census video contest, which you can watch here, to get the word out in multiple languages. Help us spread the word: the Census can be completed online at 2020census.gov, and resources are available here in more than 59 languages!