Poughkeepsie is a city and town of about 76,000 people, about 16% of whom were born outside of the U.S. As the county seat of Dutchess County and with such a large foreign-born population, the city is an important hub for immigrants who settle in the Hudson Valley.
Civic Pride
Indeed, immigrants who apply for naturalization with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will generally have their naturalization ceremony at the local courthouse in Poughkeepsie. These ceremonies are a sacred and heartwarming civic tradition that welcomes immigrants as they become American citizens.
Generally, green card holders who wish to apply for citizenship must be able to pass an examination in which they are tested on American history and government. While applicants who live in Poughkeepsie will generally have their naturalization interview at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Albany, NY, they can usually elect to attend a naturalization ceremony closer to home in Poughkeepsie after passing their exam.
Mexican Roots
Many of Poughkeepsie’s immigrant community originally come from Mexico, specifically the Oaxaca region in the south. Oaxaca is known for its unique and delicious cuisine, and there are many delicious Oaxacan and Mexican restaurants in Poughkeepsie, such as Zaachila’s Bakery, Mole Mole, and Cocina La Cabañita de Oaxaca. So many residents of Poughkeepsie originally come from Oaxaca that the city’s nickname is “Oaxakeepsie”.
The city also hosts a celebration each year called Oaxaca Week, which highlights Oaxacan music, crafts, and food, culminating in a festival held at Waryas Park called La Guelaguetza.
International Students – Building a Clever Country
Poughkeepsie is also home to a large number of bright and talented international students. Marist College, Vassar College, Dutchess Community College, and the Culinary Institute of American are all located in or near Poughkeepsie, each with a large foreign-born student body.
Generally, foreign students studying at these colleges will hold F-1 or J-1 student visas, and many students go on to pursue successful careers in the Hudson Valley after graduation. Some may work in technology on an H-1b professional visa, for example, at IBM (which has a location in Poughkeepsie). Others may choose to invest in a business through the E-2 visa, or self-sponsor their own visa through the O-1 visa. Still others happily find love and apply for a green card through marriage with an American citizen.
Poughkeepsie, NY Immigration Lawyer
If you live or work in Poughkeepsie and need help pursuing your immigration options, it’s important to work with an experienced and compassionate attorney. Please get in touch today. +1 845-288-2435 / info@beaconimmigration.net.
Beacon Immigration PLLC is a law firm located in the Hudson Valley of New York at 6 Eliza Street, Beacon, NY 12508 (Dutchess County).
