Public Employee Press

Union immigration forum brings experts to members

Dozens of members were in attendance as the DC 37 Citizenship Committee and the Caribbean Heritage Committee held their first citizenship and immigration forum at union headquarters March 26.

“DC 37 takes immigration issues very seriously,” said Citizenship Committee Chair Cuthbert Dickenson, who is also president of Local 374, at the opening of the evening forum.

Members of a panel spoke and answered members’ questions on a number of issues important to immigrants. Andrea Quarantillo, district director for the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, brought good news when she said that the processing of applications for citizenship has improved considerably. After June 1 the process, which used to take as much as 16 months, will be cut down to 4-6 months, she said.

Attorney Donnell Suares emphasized the importance of telling the truth on all applications and seeking an immigration attorney as quickly as possible if an order of deportation is pending. “It’s extremely important to do that immediately,” he said. Suares also pointed out that DWI can be a deportable offense.

Joan Foy, an attorney from DC 37’s Municipal Employees Legal Services who works with union members on citizenship and immigration issues, stressed the importance of showing up for court dates. “Many people who have to go to court don’t go,” she said.

Michelle Centeno, outreach director in the Labor Law Bureau of the city Comptroller’s office, told of her duties setting prevailing wage rates for companies that get city contracts.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re an immigrant or not, everyone is entitled to be paid fairly and the process is confidential,” she said. Centeno recalled a situation atBellevue Hospital where day laborers were not being paid and her office was able to intervene and get them their wages.

Zahida Pirani of the New York Civic Participation Project called on immigrants to get involved in political action. “If we don’t, we will never be able to change the unfair aspects of the U.S. immigrationsystem,” she said.

After the panelists made their presentations they answered questions from the members.

“They did a fine job and gave our members a lot of important information. We hope to do this again,” said Dickenson.