March 25, 2014 – Hundreds of individuals and families can get free legal advice and assistance in filling out naturalization applications on Saturday, April 5, at Immaculate Conception Parish in Astoria (see map).

The event, dubbed a “mega workshop,” is a major part of Cambia Tu Vida (“Change Your Life”), a campaign being promoted by Catholic Migration Services to promote naturalization and citizenship. If you have a green card and would like to make an appointment, call the Cambia Tu Vida hotline at 855-622-6242.

CMS is also bringing the campaign’s message to New York City through a series of public service announcements on local television stations, as well as in print and social media and through grassroots publicity efforts. You can watch the public service announcements below, and you can read the entire press release here.

Cambia Tu Vida is part of the larger New Americans Campaign, a national effort by more than 80 organizations that are working to encourage and assist eligible legal permanent residents in becoming U.S. citizens.

Eight million legal permanent residents live in the United States, and an estimated half a million people in New York City alone are eligible for naturalization. CMS hopes to help more than a thousand individuals submit an application for naturalization during this campaign, which started in March. With attorneys, counselors and pro bono volunteers on hand at the workshop, CMS hopes to aid immigrants in overcoming the barriers and confusion that often come with applying for naturalization.