A story in the Dec. 29th Staten Island Advance highlights the immigration assistance now offered by Staten Island Legal Services ("SILS," a program of Legal Services NYC).
Lena Piatuang Boffa left her village outside Bangkok after a Staten Island Navy man happened into her parents' jewelry store more than four decades ago. A three-year courtship brought her to Rosebank, a new bride, at the age of 26.
She never returned to Thailand.
It is Staten Island, USA, she has long considered home.
Next month, a week after she turns 65, she will feel even more connected to her adopted country, when she is sworn in as a U.S. citizen.
"I was thinking a lot of years I wanted to be a citizen," she said during an interview at the St. George office of Staten Island Legal Services, which in June added immigration assistance to the roster of other free and low-cost legal help it offers the community.
"I just needed to find somebody like Susan," she said flashing a grateful smile at Susan Thorn, the immigration attorney for the not-for profit, whom she met when she showed up at a June citizenship fair at the office on Richmond Terrace, her outdated Thai passport and her green card in hand.
Mrs. Boffa received a guiding hand every step along the way, from filling out paperwork, practicing for the test, applying for fee- and language-waivers and having an attorney accompany her to the final interview with government officials.
"I feel very happy. I feel like I'm home now," she said.
Starting Jan. 7, Legal Services will welcome many more Staten Islanders like Mrs. Boffa -- who wish to become citizens but are daunted by the paper-work intensive process -- every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., for free, walk-in clinics.
"We are reaching out to let as many people as possible know that this help is available," said Nancy Goldhill, director and an attorney. "It really makes things easier."
