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Creating a stronger community one new citizen at a time

When our 2012 immigration study revealed that Napa County has 9,000 citizenship-eligible Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs), aka Green Card holders, but many were not taking the important step towards achieving citizenship due to an absence of a robust legal services infrastructure, we launched the One Napa Valley Initiative (ONVI), a campaign to create new citizens and a stronger community. ONVI is building awareness of the benefits and requirements of citizenship, helping LPRs with their naturalization applications, preparing them for their citizenship exams/interviews, and helping locals with other immigration benefits, like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Since ONVI’s launch in the summer of 2013, 10,469 people have received legal services, 1,017 people have enrolled in English and civics classes, 6,081 have submitted applications for citizenship or other immigration benefits, and 2,052 have been sworn in as U.S. citizens, representing 46 countries. More than 470 volunteers and 350 local donors, foundations, and businesses have invested nearly $2.7 million in this public-private partnership, alongside the County of Napa, as well as every municipal government in the Valley.

Seen in the photos above, the Napa County Board of Supervisors, the Napa City Council, Congressman Mike Thompson, State Senator Bill Dodd and former State Senator Lois Wolk recognized the determination, hard work, and courage of Napa’s newest citizens at several Board of Supervisors meetings.

Read the immigration study, executive summary and fact sheet here.

Our One Napa Valley Initiative Partners:

Immigration Institute of the Bay Area

On the Move

Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center

Up Valley Family Centers

Photo credit: © Bob McClenahan

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