TUCSON – Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement today thanking the participants, volunteers and staff that ensured his naturalization fair in Nogales over the weekend was such a success. The event, which took place at Nogales City Hall on Saturday, allowed 22 people to complete their citizenship applications, drew in 31 walk-in’s who will complete their applications at the next fair, and saved applicants nearly $18,000 in document preparation fees and naturalization fees.

“This past weekend, we witnessed a true community effort as volunteers from around our state – including employees from the City of Nogales, Congressional staff from Tucson and Phoenix, and immigration attorney Doralina Luna from Tucson – joined forces to help aspiring Americans realize their dreams of becoming our fellow citizens,” Rep. Grijalva said. “Citizenship grants tremendous rights and opportunities in our country, but often times fees and the convoluted process act as barriers to naturalization. Thanks to the success of our naturalization fair last weekend, those barriers won’t hold back 22 deserving people from pledging their allegiance to our flag, and another 31 applicants will have their turn at our next event. In the process, we saved applicants nearly $18,000 in charges and fees. I give my heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this event such a success, and congratulate the 22 men and women who completed their applications with us on Saturday.”

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