General Dynamics NASSCO has been a New American Workforce partner in San Diego since January 2014. Since then, the ship building and repair company has been helping their employees become U.S. citizens with convenient education and assistance. Through on-site information workshops and one-on-one legal assistance sessions, over 150 employees have taken a step forward in their citizenship process.
Jose Ayala is a Supervisor in Quality Assurance who has worked at General Dynamics NASSCO for 22 years. Jose has long been eligible to apply for citizenship and finally did last year, thanks to the assistance at work. He described his experience:
“The workshops were great. The questions I had were answered even before the Q&A part of the presentation. Everything checked out, it was painless and quick. I was very appreciative of that.
I’ve been in this country since I was 5 and I served in the Marine Corps. I had just delayed doing my citizenship because of procrastination. As I got older, it was just something that I needed to do. As I established myself and my family grew, every year I kept saying, ‘I’ll do it next year.’ When General Dynamics brought it here, the help was right there and that made it so much easier.
General Dynamics is looking out for the best interest of the company and the employees. It is a benefit for both of us. One thing that I wouldn’t be able to do without citizenship is go on the nuclear bases, you have to be a U.S. citizen with clearance. I can move up to those types of positions now. It works both ways.”
Jose Ayala
General Dynamics NASSCO
New American Workforce Participant