Citizenship class coming
Doris Reile is having another class in Citizenship (Naturalization) at the Holiday Inn, 3821 10th St. The class begins at 6 p.m. and ends around 7:30 on November 26. This class is for anyone wanting to file their N-400 Naturalization papers or review for their upcoming interview with USCIS. A few of the laws have changed as well as the price. Come and get acquainted with the process and prepare to file your papers now.
“The class prepares for the interview of US Civics, US history and US Geography,” Reile said. “It will help improve your English speaking and writing. Also, the accommodations for elderly Spanish speakers will be presented so that the test will be given in Spanish if requirements are met. Don’t miss out on the free opportunity to become Naturalized. Call 620-791-7314 for additional information.”
Arturo Ferrel is still wearing his “I voted” sticker on his jacket.
The Nov. 5 election was his first time voting in the United States, after becoming a citizen on June 27.
Ferrel came to Great Bend from Mexico in 2000 on a religious (R-1) visa after he was invited to serve as the pastor of the First Southern Baptist Church’s Hispanic congregation. (He now works at Hay Tarps & Covers with Western Ag Enterprise.) He applied for green cards for his family and with help from Sen. Pat Roberts’ office they were ready to be approved.
They were denied.
“They had me confused with someone from Korea,” he said. That person lived in Washington, D.C., and was earning a salary.
Ferrel became discouraged as he learned that the path to citizenship is long and expensive. A green card, also known as a Permanent Resident Card, allows a person to live and work in the United States permanently. It’s issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The USCIS test for citizenship can only be taken by someone who has met eligiblity requirements, including having a green card for at least five years.
Seven years ago, Ferrel met his wife Missy and that allowed him to get a green card. He applied right away.
The next step was filling out the forms and studying for the USCIS test. Missy read a story in the Great Bend Tribune about free classes offered by Doris Reile and encouraged him to go.
Reile has been helping immigrants with citizenship since 1980. She attended USCIS training to be able to offer these free classes. Over the years she has helped over 200 applicants.
“My services are all volunteer,” she said. “I do not charge for my classes. Often students realize the expenses involved in helping and provide me with a small monetary gift. This is greatly appreciated.”
The process is intense, she said. She helps people fill out the N400 form and prepare for the test.
“I knew I had to study a lot,” Ferrel said. There are 100 potential questions covering U.S. civics, history and geography. A lot of natural born citizens would have a hard time passing the test, Reile said.
At the test site, a proctor asks 10 randomly selected questions from the 100 and the test taker must answer at least six correctly in spoken English. Ferrel answered six in a row correctly and didn’t have to take the next four.
One question is “How many articles are in the Bill of Rights?” (Ten.)
If someone fails the test, it can be taken again in four months, but Reile said her students come prepared. “I don’t let them take the test unless I know they’re ready,” she said.
Reile continues to offer free classes on the last Tuesday of each month at the Holiday Inn. They start at 6 p.m.
Ferrel and his wife attended a ceremony where he received his Certificate of Naturalization on June 27 at Dodge City. Fifty countries were represented but about half of the new citizens were from Mexico.
Reile told him what she tells every new student: “When you get this, your first obligation is to vote.”
She helps students find nonpartisan voter guides but never tells them who to vote for.
Ferrel said he used a paper ballot. He described what voting meant to him: “I think you’re exercising your right to do something that’s all-American.”
