Brooklyn Public Library announces programs to provide immigrants greater access to free citizenship, legal services
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) on Wednesday announced two multi-year initiatives to provide immigrants in the borough greater access to free U.S. citizenship and legal services.
The first, a program called Prepare for Citizenship, will provide ESOL learners with formal, 11-week citizenship courses at the Canarsie, Flatbush, Sunset Park and Kensington libraries. Operated in partnership with Catholic Migration Services (CMS) and through a grant from the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the classes will prepare students for both the English and Civics portion of the Citizenship test and provide free legal assistance. Interested students should sign up to attend a registration session (See bklynlibrary.org and catholicmigration.org).
BPL will simultaneously welcome two new Immigrant Justice Corps (IJC) Community Fellows to help provide critical legal assistance to low-income immigrants throughout the borough. BPL was one of five organizations across New York City to be awarded IJC Community Fellows this year; they will begin formally offering services later this month.