WHO:

Organized by U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz.; and more than 70 community volunteers, including attorneys who specialize in immigration law.

WHAT:

As part of an ongoing effort by Rep. Ed Pastor to help legal residents become U.S. citizens, volunteers will assist 125 eligible permanent residents in completing their U.S. citizenship (N-400) applications to be submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).   The assistance is a free community service organized by Rep. Ed Pastor and provided to eligible legal permanent residents.

WHEN/WHERE:

Saturday, July 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Rep. Pastor available to media at 9:30 a.m.

Gymnasium at Udall Elementary School, 3715 W. Roosevelt, Phoenix.

***LOCATION IS EMBARGOED UNTIL 1 P.M. SATURDAY***

***ALL APPOINTMENTS ARE FULL ***

***To be placed on a waiting list, people may phone 602-256-0551***

The 125 individuals who will receive assistance Saturday have been screened to assure they qualify for U.S. citizenship, and all appointments are full. Individuals interested in receiving assistance in the future may phone Congressman Pastor's office during regular hours at 602-256-0551 and ask to be placed on a waiting list for future citizenship events.

WHY:

Since the mid-1990s, Rep. Pastor has held naturalization workshops to encourage eligible permanent residents to apply for their U.S. citizenship and embrace the benefits that come along with U.S. citizenship. Many permanent residents have not applied for U.S. citizenship because they are intimidated or overwhelmed by the application process, and this workshop will help ease the process by providing trained volunteers who will help participants complete the application and answer their questions.