Last month, United Community was recognized by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) at their annual Spring Fling event with the Pro Bono Organization Of The Year award. United Community’s Progreso Center and AILA have jointly held three naturalization workshops in the past two years. This award was given in recognition of Progreso’s pro bono efforts to help green card holders apply for U.S. citizenship.

According to Virginia Ruiz, Progreso Attorney,  “Receiving this award was an unexpected honor and a meaningful recognition of the work we are doing here. It affirms that our efforts are making a difference and reflects the importance and value of the work we do every day.” Between October 2024 and September 2025, Progreso helped 45 clients navigate the naturalization process and take steps toward becoming U.S. citizens.

At the award ceremony, an AILA spokesperson referred to Progreso as “small and mighty.” They went on to comment on how well-organized Progreso is, with hard-working staff who pay attention to detail. This is particularly important when helping clients deal with the finer points of immigration law.

The springtime award comes near Immigrant Heritage month, a time to recognize the contributions of immigrants and celebrate their impact on our communities. At this time, and for the rest of the year, Progreso and AILA are committed to extending a helping hand to those who wish to become part of the American experience.

With your support, we can continue helping people achieve their dream of becoming American citizens for years to come. Support can come in the form of your time, financial contributions, or volunteering. You don’t need to be a lawyer to make a difference – our volunteers include individuals who help teach English and citizenship classes.

We look forward to strengthening our partnership with AILA as we continue supporting individuals and families on their journey to citizenship.