Civic Participation - First Half of 2007
Naturalization Clinics, Mobilize the Immigrant Vote
Free Naturalization Clinics
In response to a need for Korean American political empowerment, the Korean Resource Center has been providing free naturalization clinics for the community. Public interest and participation has risen as a result of the on-going Assembly discussion on comprehensive immigration reform as well as the increase in Naturalization application processing fees.
The Korean Resource Center has provided many Korean Americans with free naturalization clinic services each Tuesday and Thursday. To help with higher participation levels, the KRC also held an additional free naturalization clinic for those who are unavailable during weekday business hours. The week-end clinic was held at the Oriental Mission Church on Saturday, May 19.
Also, on June 30, KRC reached out to those who had difficulty visiting the KRC's Naturalization clinic downtown. Staff and volunteers assisted people in Monterey Park, La Canada, and Santa Clarita.
From the first of this year until mid-July, we have helped a total of 542 applications. In addition to the naturalization clinics, we assisted hundreds of callers over phone conversations.
KRC plans to continue its free clinic to the community even after July 30, when the increased fee took effect. By doing this, we hope to strengthen our community’s voice as it actively exercises the right to vote in local and national elections.
Mobilize the Immigrant Vote
KRC joined the MIV (Mobilize the Immigrant Vote) to empower Korean Americans through civic participation. MIV held an open house introducing MIV’s work to many community organizations already engaged in civic participation. MIV is organizing a new program to engage the community ahead of the 2008 elections, called MOVE (Movement-building Organizations for Voting and Long-term Empowerment), and held a first gathering on July 27th.
[delicious]elections+english+2007[/delicious]