Washington couple ease access to citizenship

Since Latinos for Washington's citizenship classes launched in 2017, roughly 20 people been through, but less than a handful have become citizens.

According to Jackie Arreola, the co-founder and treasurer of Latinos for Washington, only two people who have taken the class have gone on to obtain citizenship, as the applications fee is $725.

However, thanks to locals Robin Plattenberger-Gilmore and her husband Richard Gilmore, those wishing to take the test can now do so at a reduced cost. Starting with the current session, the couple have donated funds to Latinos for Washington to cover 50 percent of the cost for those who go on to apply for citizenship.

'Over the years, the price to take the test has gone up dramatically, which has made it difficult for people,” said Plattenberger-Gilmore. 'So there were people who'd studied it but couldn't afford to take the test and I thought, ‘That's simply awful.'”

Having been a family practice doctor, Plattenberger-Gilmore is concerned for children who might be in jeopardy if their parents are not able to obtain citizenship. While she and her husband have aided individuals seeking citizenship in the past by helping them study or giving them rides, this is their first time doing a formal scholarship.

'They have be able to afford a trip to Des Moines and they have to go down and get fingerprinted,” said Plattenberger-Gilmore. 'Of course that means they have to take a day off from work. It's no small task for them to achieve (citizenship).”

According to Plattenberger-Gilmore, they left it to Latinos for Washington to determine the requirements for the scholarship, which includes 100 percent class attendance, passing the mock interview and a local reference from the community to confirm residence.

On average, there have been five people per session; however, there are currently eight attending, all of whom are on track to receive the scholarship should they pass the local test.

'They have to learn the basics of U.S. history,” Arreola said of the test's requirements. '(The U.S. Citizenship classes) want to make sure (applicants) have a basic knowledge of our government history and a basic knowledge of reading and writing.”

The volunteer-taught classes run six weeks and are held in the Washington Public Library on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are taught in English, but a bilingual translator attends for those who require it.

'Keep in mind that when we say ‘U.S. citizen' we don't mean just Latinos,” Arreola said. 'We have immigration from all over the world, so we want to be sure that people know that this program is for anyone who wants to become a U.S. citizen.”

When someone passes the test it's cause for celebration. According to Richard Gilmore, 'the judge always has a good time during immigration (test).”

The judge presiding over the test takes a photo with those who have achieved citizenship, who are often celebrating with their families.

'We take our citizenship for granted,” said Plattenberger-Gilmore. 'But this is a dream come true for so many people.”

The couple hopes this opportunity attracts more people to seek citizenship. While they didn't say how long the scholarship would be made available, they made it clear they're ready to extend a hand again.

'Our philosophy for helping people is now when someone else is needing help you pay us back by helping some other person,” said Plattenberger-Gilmore. 'I don't expect anything back. (Gilmore) doesn't expect anything back, but if you see somebody in need, it's your turn to be the helper.”

This session will end on April 18, after which graduates will be able to apply for the test in Des Moines.