August 23, 2014

UCAN Workshop Helps UFCW Members on Path to Citizenship

Today UFCW Local 431 Cargill workers attended a UFCW Union Citizenship Action Network (UCAN) workshop in Beardstown, Ill. The workshop focused on legal services, the process to become a citizen, and other immigration and citizenship issues. Nearly 75 people attended the workshop and 22 people received assistance filling out their naturalization applications. This will start them on the path to becoming U.S. citizens.

In the face of inaction on comprehensive immigration reform by Congress, the UFCW launched the UCAN program to be a resource for workers looking to apply for citizenship. UCAN helps provide the proper documents, legal counsel, and other assistance necessary to get the process started. The program also positions the UFCW to be able to help many more workers once comprehensive immigration reform becomes law.

In Beardstown, the UFCW partnered with the National Partnership for New Americans, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, the Immigrant Project, and the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa. African language translators and interpreters were made available to meet the needs of workers.

Upcoming UCAN workshops will be held in West Liberty, and Waterloo, Iowa, respectively.