Staten Island Advance Features SILS Immigration Clinics

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the not-for profit, whom she met when she showed up at a June citizenship fair at the office on Richmond Terrace, her outdated Thai passport and her green card in hand.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."

Read the rest of the article at the Staten Island Advance's website.