Immigrants Seek Clout in Push to be Citizens
Activist Groups Foster Boom
November 12, 2007

By Niraj Warikoo
Free Press Staff Writer

During her first 15 years in the United States, Esther Gavia was content to live in Detroit without becoming a naturalized citizen.

But in recent months, the Mexico native has grown increasingly concerned about what she sees as a rising anti-immigrant mood. And so, she is lining up to apply for naturalization, part of a growing number of legal permanent residents across Michigan and the nation moving to become U.S. citizens.

"We're concerned about our rights," said Gavia, 66, who works as a janitor. "I want to be a citizen so I can change laws, vote ... so I can communicate with politicians."

Applications for U.S. citizenship have jumped 42% in Michigan over the past two years. That's evident inside packed classes from Detroit to Pontiac, where immigrants study English and American history to pass the civics test all citizenship seekers must take.

From January through September this year alone, 13,336 legal permanent residents in Michigan applied to become U.S. citizens, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. That's a 27% increase from the same period in 2006. Across the nation there was a 59% increase, with 940,087 immigrants applying to be naturalized in that span.

Civic and Latino groups say they hope to naturalize and register to vote by October up to 137,000 legal permanent residents in Michigan, and an additional 50,000 of their family members.

Spanish-language media are helping out: The metro Detroit affiliate of TV network Univision has created a voter education project with public service advertisements. And the Detroit-based Metropolitan Organizing Strategies Enabling Strength has launched a yearlong civic education program for immigrants that includes citizenship classes.

Their push comes as the U.S. government has revamped the citizenship test to promote a deeper understanding of American values rather than just memorization of historical tidbits. It goes into effect Oct. 1, 2008, and is part of a larger effort by the Bush administration to promote assimilation among the country's burgeoning foreign-born population.

For immigrants, becoming citizens is a way to secure their futures in the United States.

"Citizens have ... mas derechos," said Ismael Rosales, 29, a construction worker from Detroit, using the Spanish words for more rights. "They get treated differently."

Protecting families, friends

On Saturday mornings, Rosales and other permanent residents gather for a citizenship class in the Detroit center of LA SED, Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development.

The students are an anxious lot.

During the past year, federal agents have stepped up the number of raids in neighborhoods in an effort to deport illegal immigrants. Rosales and his classmates all live here legally, but they say the crackdown has shaken them up because it has broken up families and friends in places such as southwest Detroit.

They want to become citizens not only to protect their own rights, but to help change immigration laws to protect the rights of their brethren.

"Para votar" -- in order to vote -- said Mario Jimenez, 54, of Detroit, explaining why he wants to be a citizen. "And to help my people. There's too many separations of families."

The number of citizenship applications has risen despite a July 30 increase in the application fee, from $400 to $675. Applications dropped in August as a result, but picked up in September and overall are much higher compared with last year.

"It's like an awakening," said Odilia Avellaneda, an immigration coordinator at LA SED. "Suddenly, you see a lot more people coming to our classes. They're telling each other, come on, let's learn English, let's become citizens."

During a session last month, Avellaneda went over questions her students could be asked on their citizenship tests.

They had been studying hard for weeks and so by then, they knew by heart many of the answers -- from the names of Michigan's two senators to the original 13 colonies to the duties of the Supreme Court.

A few had more work to do.

When Avellaneda asked, "Who is the vice president of the United States?" most quickly replied:

"Dick Cheney."

But one woman said: "I thought it was George Bush's father," confusing Cheney with former Vice President George Bush, who served under President Ronald Reagan and later became president.

The class chuckled.

Many ages and motives

The students are all natives of Mexico but are a diverse lot. Ranging in ages from their 20s to 80s, some are recent immigrants who work long hours in blue-collar jobs. Others are professionals and retirees who have lived in the United States for decades.

Gloria Fernandez, 86, who moved from Mexico City in 1985, is the oldest student in the class. In her mind, it's never too late to start anew.

"I want the right to vote and a better life," she said.

Hiliria Lopez, 45, of Detroit, who works as a lunchroom assistant at a public school, is taking the class in part to learn spelling and grammar, important subjects for these immigrants.

"I want to learn how to speak English well so I can get a better job," she said.

Despite their different pasts, they hope to share a common future in the United States. And to prepare them, Avellaneda peppers her instruction with lessons on political participation.

"Do we have any Latinos in the Congress now?"

"Yes," students said.

"Do we expect to have more?" she continued.

"Yes!" the class replied.

Contact NIRAJ WARIKOO at 248-351-2998 or warikoo@freepress.com.