PILF participates in citizenship workshop

Sponsored by the Public Interest Law Fund, a group of Penn State Law students recently traveled to Arlington, Virginia and participated in a citizenship workshop sponsored by Hogar Immigrant Services, designed to help eligible immigrants become U.S. citizens. After receiving training on the citizenship process from Hogar staff, students helped volunteer attorneys and applicants from El Salvador, Bolivia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Georgia complete the legal paperwork necessary to navigate the citizenship process.

“I went to Hogar’s citizenship workshop in June and had a great time helping people apply to become citizens,” said PILF President Stacie Hunhoff ’12, who interned at Hogar her first summer of law school. “When PILF decided to expand its portfolio of events beyond fundraising activities to include legal service events, I knew that I wanted to include the citizenship workshop as one of our events,” she said.

“The application for citizenship is very complicated and confusing – especially if you do not speak English fluently,” explained Hunhoff. “The service that Hogar provides to immigrants is invaluable. For a minimal cost, applicants are assured that their paperwork is filled out completely and that they have included all the necessary supplemental documentation.”

“Immigration law is something I have been involved with for a few years now, but despite my best intentions, I had not gotten the opportunity to participate in a naturalization workshop. So, when PILF announced this service opportunity, I was thrilled,” said Allie Sievers ’12. “Working with clients throughout the day and observing the individuals and families as they worked through all of the stages of the process was a very fulfilling experience. It was wonderful that Penn State Law students were able to have a hand in helping so many people achieve the American dream.”

Because of the great turnout of volunteer students, Hogar was able to assist more people than they normally would have. Seventy people attended the workshop and left with completed citizenship applications – getting them one step closer to becoming a U.S. citizen.

The Penn State Dickinson Public Interest Law Fund (PILF) is dedicated to promoting student interest and community involvement in the field of public interest law. PILF promotes its goals by sponsoring public interest events on campus to educate students about the rewarding career possibilities in public interest law and by raising fund to support Cherie M. Millage Summer Fellowships.