FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Saturday, August 25, 2018
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bethany Khan ▪ BKhan@culinaryunion226.org ▪ (702) 387-7088
Culinary Union and The Citizenship Project process over 100 applications at Citizenship Fair
** VIDEO B-Roll & PHOTOS from the Citizenship Fair: https://unitehere.box.com/s/j3fufu78v1og9ov2l690hobnd39txe5v **
Las Vegas, NV - A coalition consisting of the Culinary Union, The Citizenship Project, and UNITE HERE – the international hospitality worker’s union assisted in the preparation of over 100 N-400 Citizenship applications in five hours on Saturday, August 25, 2018. 180 legal permanent residents and their families attended the free citizenship fair hosted at the Culinary Union. Lawyers, activists, and community allies from across the Las Vegas valley volunteered throughout the day.
“Becoming a U.S. citizen is an important step in securing your family’s future,” said Geoconda Argüello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “The Culinary Union established The Citizenship Project so that union members, their families, and the community can get help through the citizenship process. From the N-400 application to preparing for the exam, The Citizenship Project helps you through the entire process for free. Over 18,000 Nevadans have become U.S. citizens since The Citizenship Project was founded in 2001 and we are continuing the work everyday.”
“I want to become a United States citizen so I can vote for politicians and candidates who will fight for Latinos, workers, and everyone in my community,” said Maria Martinez Robbins, a guest room attendant at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas. “I attended the Citizenship fair today and am excited to have completed my application with Senator Yvanna Cancela’s help. I’m looking forward to becoming a citizen and voting for the first time.”
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ABOUT THE CULINARY UNION:
Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, Nevada affiliates of UNITE HERE, represent over 57,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, including at most of the casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas. UNITE HERE represents 270,000 workers in gaming, hotel, and food service industries in North America.
The Culinary Union, through the Culinary Health Fund, is one of the largest healthcare consumers in the state. The Culinary Health Fund is sponsored by the Culinary Union and Las Vegas-area employers. It provides health insurance coverage for over 143,000 Nevadans, the Culinary Union’s members and their dependents.
The Culinary Union is Nevada’s largest immigrant organization with over 57,000 members - a diverse membership that is approximately 55% women and 54% Latino. Members - who work as guest room attendants, bartenders, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, and kitchen workers - come from 173 countries and speak over 40 different languages. The Culinary Union has been fighting for fair wages, job security, and good health benefits for working men and women in Nevada for 83 years.
CulinaryUnion226.org / @Culinary226