EIIC Events

EIIC Welcomed Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore

Tanaiste on Sunday at the EIIC
Pictured with the Tanaiste on Sunday at the EIIC Noel Kilkenny, NY Consul General, Siobhan Dennehy, Carol Hanney, Eamon Gilmore, Hanora Kilkenny, David Coonan and Fiona McCabe

The Emerald Isle Immigration Center Welcomed Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore T.D. to its Woodlawn Office in the Bronx, on Sunday, September 25, 2011

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, visited the Emerald Isle Immigration Center on Katonah Avenue in Woodlawn this past Sunday to celebrate the services the Center has given the community for almost twenty-five years. The Tánaiste witnessed the vibrant Irish network that exists around the Emerald Isle, met with local seniors and members of the Bronx community.

He was greeted by EIIC Chairman Brian O’Dwyer, Board members and Executive Director Siobhán Dennehy, who introduced the Tánaiste to the Immigration Services, the Seniors Program and the Social Services that are provided by the Center. The visit follows the week in which the Center’s Meals-On-Wheels scheme was formally launched by New York State Senator Jeff Klein, capping a busy period for the staff and a welcome service for local seniors.

Siobhan Dennehy, Tanaiste Eamone Gilmore, Aine Murphy, Lisa McGovern and John Stahl

Among those assembled on Sunday to meet An Tánaiste was the Irish Language Group that meets every week in the EIIC to practice their cúpla focal under the tutelage of staff member Aine Murphy. The Center’s hugely productive Knitting Group was also represented in the audience for the Tánaiste.

The vital Immigration Services that the Emerald Isle offers to the community were to the forefront, as the Tánaiste met with the staff that has been on the frontline of a recent increase in emigration from Ireland. Staff members on hand were able to elaborate on the valuable work of the organization, their experience of recent trends in Irish immigration and the prospects for immigrants in a sluggish U.S. economy.

Questions:

Contact Executive Director, Siobhan Dennehy via email: siobhand@eiic.org or 718/478-5502 Ext 206

EIIC Citizenship Application Drives

Emerald Isle Immigration Center will host:

U.S. Citizenship Free Informational Meeting: Immigration and Citizenship

Thursday, April 7th, 6:00pm at the Woodlawn office

Informational session led by John Stahl, EIIC Immigration Attorney and Carmel Rose, EIIC Immigration Counselor on naturalization eligibility requirements, process, rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.

U.S. Citizenship Application Drives

Sat, April 9th, 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Woodlawn office
&
Sat, April 16th, 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Woodside office.

Counselors will be available to help complete the application for US Citizenship. Those who wish to attend must register in advance.

In order to register contact our Bronx office at 718-3243039

View Full Press Release

EIIC Citizenship seminars, application drives in April

March 25, 2011:  For Immediate release

The Emerald Isle Immigration Center to host U.S. Citizenship seminars and application drives at both offices in April

The Emerald Isle Immigration Center will be hosting U.S. citizenship free informational meetings on Tuesday, April 5th at 6pm at the Woodside, Queens office and on Thursday, April 7th at 6pm at the Woodlawn, Bronx office to provide general information on citizenship eligibility.

The Emerald Isle Immigration Center will be holding a U.S. citizenship application drive on Saturday, April 9th from 10am to 1pm in the Woodlawn office and on Saturday, April 16th from 10am to 1pm in the Woodside office. Counselors will be available to help complete the application for US Citizenship. Those who wish to attend should call the office to register in advance.

In general, green card holders, are eligible for American citizenship if they are at least 18 years old and have resided in the United States continuously since becoming a permanent resident for at least five years, or three years if they are married and residing with a U.S. citizen spouse. Also, at least half of that time must have been spent physically present within the United States. Applicants must pass an English and U.S. history and government examination, have filed their taxes and otherwise demonstrate their good moral character and their support of the principles of the U.S. Constitution.

Here are ten reasons why someone should apply to become an American citizen.

  1. Processing times are quicker. It is currently taking an average of five months to complete the naturalization process from filing to the swearing-in ceremony. The current filing fee is $680 to apply for naturalization. The filing fee has been the same since July 2007, but it may be increased on an annual basis. Apply now to avoid having to pay more later.
  2. There is nothing to lose. Certain countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom, recognize “dual citizenship” permitting naturalized U.S. citizens to maintain their citizenship of birth and original passport. U.S. citizens are required by law to present an American passport upon their departure and return to the United States. A “dual citizen” may use his/her second passport to enter any other country.
  3. Get the VIP treatment at U.S. Customs. Citizens can leave the U.S. and live in another country for as long as  they  want. Holders of  U.S. Passports cannot be prevented from re-entering the United States or be deported.
  4. Vote in November. Only a U.S. citizen has the right to vote for elected officials at the federal, state and local levels who shape the policy of the government.
  5. A citizen also has the right to hold most city, state or federal offices, and the right to hold certain federal, state and city jobs, like a police officer and fire fighter.
  6. Citizens can petition for more family members, including parents and siblings, to come to the U.S. with much shorter waiting lists than for green card sponsorship.
  7. Citizens who retire abroad receive full Social Security benefits, whereas lawful permanent residents may only be entitled to half their benefits, and citizens may be subject to fewer restrictions on estate taxes.
  8. Citizens are eligible for more public benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Food Stamps, and certain types of educational scholarships and financial aid.
  9. In most cases, children under 18 years of age can become an American citizen automatically when their parent or parents naturalize.
  10. Finally, citizens do not have to worry about renewing their green cards every ten years and have one less government agency to deal with, namely the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WOODSIDE, QUEENS
59-26 Woodside Avenue
Woodside, NY  11377
(718) 478-5502
Fax: (718) 446-3727

WOODLAWN, BRONX
4275 Katonah Avenue
Woodlawn, NY  10470
(718) 324-3039
Fax: (718) 324-7741
https://dev.eiic.org

EIIC Citizenship Drive April 16, 2011

Emerald Isle Immigration Center
Invites you to attend our
Citizenship Drive
April 16, 2011, 10AM-1PM

EIIC immigration counselors will provide free legal assistance in the process of applying for U. S. Citizenship

Those who wish to attend must register in advance

In order to register contact our Queens office at 718- 478 5502

EIIC Queens Office
59-26 Woodside Ave 2nd FL.
Woodside, NY 11377
Tel: 718 – 478 5502
www.eiic.org