Citizenship Celebration at the Fellowship at Western Oaks
By Arlita Harris
March 24, 2020
On Sunday morning, January 26, 2020, Oklahoma State Representative from the 84th District, Tammy West, presented Oklahoma Citizen Certificates to 22 new US citizens from 6 countries on 4 continents during the morning worship service at The Fellowship at Western Oaks Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma City. (photo)
The Immigration Center at Western Oaks is a ministry of The Fellowship at Western Oaks, one of two churches providing legal immigration services to the state of Oklahoma and the panhandle of Texas. The other church is May Avenue Wesleyan Church, also in Oklahoma City. Western Oaks Church of the Nazarene was recognized in March, 2017 by the US Department of Justice to provide immigration legal services. There are five US Department of Justice accredited representatives on staff. In 2019, the Immigration Center served 192 clients, including 70 immigrants who became US citizens.
In addition to preparing the legal application for citizenship, the Immigration Center at Western Oaks staff provide weekly classes in English and Spanish to prepare the applicants for their interviews, go with the client to their USCIS interview, attend the oath ceremony, and then hold a quarterly Citizenship Celebration during a morning worship service. Family members and friends are invited to attend and celebrate with the new citizens and the church.
The total cost for naturalization immigration services at Western Oaks is based upon the applicant’s family size and income and rarely exceeds $300. Frequently the services are pro bono. For more information or to make appointment, call or email Dr. Arlita Harris, Executive Director, Immigration Center at Western Oaks, Oklahoma City 405-312-0155 or Arlita.harris@gmail.com
