New Americas Center Now Open
by Corina Platon

Kingsborough Community College announced on December 8 2008 the opening of a New Americans Center (NAC)on campus. A grant given with the help of congressman Weiner, made possible the founding of the New Americans Center, to provide free immigration legal services to Kingsborough students and all of Brooklyn immigrant communities.

Like other CUNY colleges, which have launched similar programs, “Kingsborough saw a need to help immigration issues for students and the community,” said Ms. Rosalie Fayad, director of enrollment services of the office of International Student Affairs.
Assistant director Samson Koyonda, an experienced immigration lawyer, with the help of a paralegal and two legal assistants, offer official consultation and counsel at NAC, on various immigration services, such as:

1. Alien Cards-Green Card renewals
2. Family petition visas and spouse visas- for US citizens who need to bring parents, family, spouse
3. F1(international student) visa reinstatement- for international students who fall out of status
4. Work Permit applications- for international students after graduation and students with Economic Hardship
5. Citizenship applications
6. Counsel with deportation matters – recommending agencies that offer low-cost immigration court legal services.
7. General legal counsel on immigration law and requirements

The Center has received great response, not only from Kingsborough students, but also from the community. “People walk in on daily basis,” said Mr. Koyonda, revealing that in the three months since the opening of NAC, over 100 people were assisted with counseling, and close to 50 people filed immigration applications. “Our services are absolutely free,” said Mr. Koyonda, explaining that “people are required to pay only for government fees,” although, qualified individuals can apply for fee waivers.  The word about NAC is out in the community; information on NAC can be accessed from the Kigsborough Community College website www.kbcc.cuny.edu/nac/  and it can also be seen in Community Media and Newspapers in Brooklyn.

NAC is regularly planning special events on campus, as well as off campus, with the purpose of offering people immigration guidance and help with applications.. Each month, until September 2009, NAC is organizing immigration programs outreach clinics to take place in public libraries in Brooklyn.