Refugees taught about application for US citizenship.

[nancymervin]

The first-time workshop, sponsored by a New Americas Initiative grant, paired volunteers with refugees or immigrants to go through a mock application for US citizenship process.Working patiently with people from a number of countries with just as many languages involved, the volunteers read each page of a thick application required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Applicants must live in the United States for five years before applying.Kadhim, who left Iraq 6 1/2 years ago — first for Syria and eventually the Quad-Cities — and her husband, Sefyan Noman, were among dozens of refugees and immigrants who attended the workshop hosted by World Relief. At times, the line went out the door as individuals, couples and families arrived at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center for help.Standing with Kadhim and her friend, Bowling, Rowell added, “if a family has an American friend, they are much more successful here.”