By Ling-Mei Wong
The Boston Foundation and the Greater Boston Citizenship Initiative celebrated immigrants on Citizenship Day Sept. 17 at the foundation’s office on 75 Arlington Street.
Rebeca de Vives spoke about immigration on Sept. 17 at the Boston Foundation. (Image courtesy of Ling-Mei Wong.)
Both agencies help legal permanent residents become American citizens through workshops, application assistance and support services. They also refer individuals to English classes and legal advice.
Tref Borden, executive director of the Fish Family Foundation. (Image courtesy of Ling-Mei Wong.)
“We’re honored to have people from someplace else who decided to make the United States their home,” said Tref Borden, executive director of the Fish Family Foundation, which funds the GBCI.
The Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants received $100,000 budget increase from the state. However, this cannot meet the needs of 180,000 legal permanent residents in the state who are eligible to naturalize, as the cost of civics courses, English classes and application fees are a barrier, said Marcony Almeida, chief of staff at the Massachusetts ORI.
Marcony Almeida, chief of staff at the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants. (Image courtesy of Ling-Mei Wong.)
Three immigrants shared their success stories. Rebeca de Vives came from Chile 40 years ago with her husband. She worked her way from being an intern at Saks Fifth Avenue and is now president of a consulting firm.
Vives advised immigrants to work hard, whether they were doctors or street cleaners. “This country owes its greatness to the diversity of immigrants,” she said. “It asks us to be diligent, honest and fair. … No other country rewards good, honest work like the United States.”
Hakimi Abdul left Afghanistan 20 years ago, escaping to India to work for the United Nations. However, he was ineligible for citizenship in India, Pakistan and Iran. He came to America as a refugee in 2005 and received treatment for depression.
“I love this country so much,” Abdul said. “It treated me like a human.”
Derek Tobin spoke about immigrating to the United States from Ireland. (Image courtesy of Ling-Mei Wong.)
Derek Tobin came to Boston as an international student from Ireland in 1999 and was sponsored for an H1B work visa after graduation. When he was laid off in 2003, he returned to Ireland, determined to reunite with his American girlfriend who became his wife. After 12 months, he was sponsored by another company and became a U.S. citizen in 2009 with help from the Irish Immigrant Center and GBCI.
“I loved America and as an Irish guy in Boston, I really wanted to vote,” Tobin said. “If you have the opportunity to naturalize, grab it with both hands. You won’t regret it.”
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