Mexican Migrants Can Get Free Help on Their Paths to U.S. Citizenship with New Programs Announced Today by Three Leading Mexican Institutions

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 3.4 million Mexicans who reside in the United States and are eligible for U.S. citizenship can now get help with the application process, thanks to a new program announced here today by three leading Mexican Institutions – the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico's National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) and the Carlos Slim Foundation (FCS).

The press conference was attended by Mexico's Consul General in San Antonio, Reyna Torres as well as by representatives of leading Latino organizations in the United States. Among the attendees was Carmen Cornejo, President of the Directing Council of Chicanos Por La Causa, with whom the FCS has also established a collaboration agreement to finance the cost of migrants to acquire citizenship. Hosting the press conference were: Enrique Graue Wiechers, President of UNAM; Raúl González Pérez, President of the National Human Rights Commission; and Héctor Slim Seade of the Carlos Slim Foundation. The announcement was made at a press conference at UNAM headquarters in San Antonio.

"Although many Mexican migrants are eligible for U.S. citizenship, very few start the citizenship process because they don't know how to apply," said Hector Slim of the Carlos Slim Foundation, adding,  "The lack of information generates the perception that the process of becoming a United States citizen is inaccessible to the majority of eligible migrants."

"People do not seek citizenship for several reasons, including not speaking English, the cost of the process, not having a clear understanding of the advantages of becoming a U.S. citizen, or for fear of losing Mexican citizenship," said Enrique Graue Wiechers, President of UNAM.

The "Migrant Support Program in the United States" provides migrants with the support and tools necessary to obtain citizenship. Help is available online at www.accesolatino.org as well as at UNAM centers in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Seattle and Tucson. At the UNAM centers, the program provides free in-person training and support for migrants based on tools provided at www.accessolatino.org developed by the Carlos Slim Foundation.

The Acceso Latino website provides information on:

• Free legal aid from pro-bono lawyers
• Psychological counseling via phone and WhatsApp messages.
• Information on how to obtain loans to pay for the citizenship process.
• Resources to obtain expert pro-bono legal advice

The site also has an online, easy to use course "Ciudadanízate" that prepares migrants to pass the United States citizenship examination.

AccesoLatino.org also provides information developed by the CNDH, entitled "The Plan Is To Have a Plan," which teaches people how to protect their families and their properties, and how to hire a lawyer if one is needed.

To access the website or find more information about the programs, go to www.accesolatino.org.

The benefits of obtaining citizenship in the United States include:

• Access to better jobs and better wages
• Access to education for children and the possibility of obtaining scholarships
• Respect for human rights

About the Carlos Slim Foundation
Created in 1986, with high impact programs focused on the most vulnerable population, the Carlos Slim Foundation has benefited millions of people. With a high sense of social responsibility, efficiency and opportunity, the Foundation develops programs in the fields of education, employment, health, nutrition, justice, culture, human development, support in natural disasters, economic development, environmental protection and conservation. Among others, the Foundation also contributes to improving the quality of life of the population of all ages, promote the formation of human capital and generate opportunities that promote the integral development of people and their communities.

For information, go to:
http://fundacioncarlosslim.org
https://www.facebook.com/FundacionCarlosSlim/
or Twitter: @Fund_CarlosSlim

Contact
Gloria Saldana
[email protected]
(52) 555 339 1795

SOURCE Carlos Slim Foundation

Related Links

http://fundacioncarlosslim.org