SABA Spearheads Naturalization Clinics Across Nation
On May 19th, 2018 more than 300 immigrants across the nation received guidance from volunteer attorneys on the process of becoming a U.S. citizen.
The South Asian Bar Association (SABA) — anchored by its national immigration panel co-chairs Kalpana Peddibhotla, founder of the Matthews Peddibhotla Law Group, and Tejas Shah, who leads Franczek Radelet’s immigration practice — organized naturalization clinics through SABA’s local chapters in Greater Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, Florida, Northern California and Southern California. More than 100 volunteer attorneys and community members assisted with the clinics.
Nationally, 200 people completed their naturalization applications and another 100 were able to get more information on the process, eligibility, and reasons to become a U.S. citizen.
In Northern California, clinics were held at three locations with over 125 people receiving legal assistance.
“Citizenship is the path to the fullest involvement in American life. Once naturalized, a person is able to vote, freely travel, protect themselves and family members from the risk of deportation, hold a wider range of jobs, petition to unite with other family members, and run for public office,” notes SABA North America President Rishi Bagga.