Alan Hill is a 24-year-old Venezuelan who, due to the economic crisis and the insecurity he felt in his country, forced him and his entire family to leave their homeland.
“We wanted that stability where we could feel safe in a country and that there would also be opportunities for us in which for education and work as well,” explained Hill.
They came to Union City, New Jersey, six years ago on a tourist visa, and a month ago Hill became a citizen through the CUNY program of the New York City University system.
“You really feel like you belong here, that it’s already written,” Hill said of citizenship.
A great achievement for him, who started washing dishes in a restaurant in 2014.
Later he became a cook and then his performance led him to be a restaurant manager.
In 2018, when he obtained his permission to legally reside in this country, he entered university while working two jobs.
“Even though it was tough, I knew it was for a short period of time,” Hill said.
Hill graduated with a business administration degree in 2021 and started working at a bank the same year.
Hill.
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But he felt that he still had a goal to achieve: to become a citizen of the United States.
A step that the New York University system, through its Citizenship Now program, helped him take.
They helped you process your application and gave you questions to learn.
“They helped me a lot. Nothing, when everything was ready I sent the application and all I had to do was wait for the day of the appointment, when I had to go to immigration.”
Celebrate our 25th anniversary with us and with @newamericans on April 30 in @JohnJayCollege (#Manhattan). More information at: https://t.co/mMG0NPxWhX.
One of our sponsors: @NY1news #CUNY pic.twitter.com/moDbPAHUbr— CUNY Citizenship Now (@CUNYCitizenship) April 26, 2022
Since 1997, this program has helped more than 250,000 people obtain citizenship.
“Our university gives to all New Yorkers, they don’t have to be affiliated with the university, anyone can benefit from this service,” explained CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos.
And you can be the next.
This Saturday, April 30, this program turns 25, and its lawyers and paralegals will be helping to fill out the application at John Jay University between 10th and 11th avenues in Manhattan, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. .
To attend you need to make an appointment by calling 646-664-9400.
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