NRIPULSE NEWS DESK

Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) in cooperation with the Illinois State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka's office is organizing Citizenship Workshops (Free) at the Sikh Gurudwara buildings in Palatine Illinois, and Devon Avenue Chicago. The workshops are free and open to all.

The Sunday Workshops http://www.pcschicago.org/citizenship/CitizenshipFlyerCombo.pdf
The two workshops scheduled are: on Sunday January 23, 2005, at 9 am - 1:00 pm at Sikh Gurudwara, 1280 Winnetka St., Palatine, IL. And the second one on Sunday February 20, 2005, at 10:30 am - 2:30 pm at Sikh Gurudwara, 2341 W. Devon Avenue, Chicago.

The workshops constitute a general information session how to become an American citizen. It will include help with completion of the required documents, and information regarding eligibility, the language, knowledge of U.S. constitution, and interview test requirements. 

Volunteers Training
PCS and the Treasurer's office is also seeking volunteers from the community to be trained to help in conducting such Citizenship workshops, and aid other community members in the American citizenship process. This will help those who understand better in Punjabi or other Indian languages.

A training session for such volunteers has been scheduled for Sunday, January 16, 2005, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm ( a week before the workshop) at Sikh Religious Society, 1280 Winnetka Street in Palatine Illinois. State treasurer's office staff will be on hand to train the volunteers. 

Those willing to volunteer for this community service & for more information please contact:
Nadja Lalvani at 312-814-3081 nlalvani@treasurer.state.il.us or 
Mohinderjit Singh Saini at 847-359-5PCS info@PCSChicago.org 

Applicants Requirements:
Applicants need to meet the following requirements and bring appropriate documentation, including application fees required by the Bureau of Citizenship Immigration Services. 
Requirements include: 
· Be a legal, permanent resident for five years. 
· Have an alien card (mica), Social Security Card, State ID or Drivers License. 
· List of places where you have lived and worked the past five years. 
· List of places outside the United States where you have traveled during the past five years, including month, day and year of travel. 
· Information about your spouse including: name, date of birth, social security number, alien number and date of naturalization. 
· Information about your children including: name, date of birth, social security number, alien number (if applicable). 
· Information about spouses of previous marriages: date of marriage, date the marriage ended and reason for the divorce (if applicable). 
· If applicable, information about any arrests: reason for the arrest, date, place and disposition. For men only: Selective Service number and date of registration. 
· Although the workshop is free, the Bureau of Citizenship Immigration Services requires an application fee of $390.00 (money order or cashier’s check only) made payable to “BCIS.”
The Citizenship Workshop is free to everyone. All are welcome. Also enjoy free lunch (community kitchen) offered every Sunday at all Sikh Gurudwaras and an opportunity to learn about the community.

P.C.S. (info@PCSChicago.org ) is an organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, performing arts, and sports, in the Chicago Metropolitan area. Other P.C.S. programs include: "Rangla Punjab 2005," scheduled for April 9, 2005 at Gateway Theater in Chicago and "Punjabi Sports Festival 2005," planned for the summer of 2005. Scholarships for Punjabi youth will be awarded at the "Graduation Night 2005".