The Catholic Charities Civil Duty: Legal Immigration Services Begins Another Series of N-400 Workshops
The pathway to becoming a legal U.S. Citizen is often a lengthy and time-consuming process. Being detail oriented helps, but being thoroughly aware of the ever-changing immigration requirements helps even more. However, this awareness is incredibly difficult to achieve alone. Thankfully, the Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services Department is there to provide all that necessary support for our neighbors in need and is continuing to do just that for this year’s Fall N-400 Naturalization Workshop series.
Last Friday, September 18, 2026, the Immigration Legal Services Department hosted the first part of their N-400 Fall Workshop series. These workshops are a great opportunity to ask individual case questions, find out what has changed in the process, and to have contact with individuals familiar with the process. The workshop is offered in two parts to ensure participants receive enough guidance and preparation to accurately complete the complex N-400 application. By giving support months before the applications are due to be submitted and tests are taken, our neighbors are getting ample support on this critical step toward citizenship. The Immigration department helps aspiring citizens avoid common mistakes and feel more confident throughout the naturalization process.
For the English part of the Q&A session, Campbell Law student and volunteer Yasmine Koussa gave a comprehensive presentation and allowed attendees to ask for further clarification or support. Attendees learned more about the application process and the importance of addressing each case individually.
Koussa’s interest in the immigration field partially stems from her own loved one’s experience with the U.S. naturalization process, and her interests expanded after her first encounter with the Catholic Charities team. “I started as a legal immigration intern at Catholic Charities over the summer, and I knew I had to come back,” she said. “Volunteering with Catholic Charities has been a great opportunity, and it has been incredibly insightful to learn about the evolving field of immigration law.”
Koussa is just one of the many dedicated Campbell Law students partnered with the Legal Immigration department, their presence in tandem with Immigration volunteers have made multiple N-400 workshops run smoothly. Director of Immigration Services, Consuelo Kwee, discussed the day-to-day issues that immigration professionals around the country are facing.
“Lately we have experienced many unannounced changes to the government forms required to complete the Naturalization process. Sometimes old forms will completely become void overnight. Even If it is filled out and signed, they will not accept it,” shared Kwee. “Despite everything, I am incredibly proud of my team for handling it with such expert ease, even when it is hard”
The path to citizenship may be full of obstacles, but behind every workshop or consultation is a diligent team of passionate individuals always trying to keep pace with a changing system. Through workshops, legal consultations, and ongoing case support, the department continues its mission of helping immigrants and refugees build stable futures and take meaningful step toward achieving their American dreams.