Opening Doors: MAF and OCEIA Transform Immigrant Dreams in San Francisco

In the heart of San Francisco, MAF’s strategic collaboration with the San Francisco Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA) is removing the financial obstacles that keep citizenship out of reach for immigrant families. By funding work permits and social security applications, we’re opening doors to employment, family stability, and full community participation. For families like Carlos and Soledad’s, this partnership transforms deferred dreams into tangible progress.

Advancing Naturalization Through OCEIA Partnership

Our collaboration with OCEIA, initiated in 2016, strengthens pathways to citizenship by eliminating the financial barriers that typically delay immigration processes. To date, our partnership has supported over 1,471 grants and 1,754 loans for immigrant families in the Bay Area.

This multi-faceted partnership centers around OCEIA’s regular Naturalization and Employment Authorization Document (EAD) clinics throughout San Francisco. At these events, MAF staff provide information and critical funding through our Immigration Loan Program, ensuring USCIS filing fees don’t prevent eligible immigrants from applying for legal status. These accessible clinics connect families with resources they might otherwise never discover.

“These events are life changing, you can see the benefit in person…when clients learn about the 50% match-grant opportunity, it means a lot to them.” – Doris, MAF’s Program Manager

During one of these citizenship workshops, we met Carlos, his wife Soledad, and their daughter Sasha. Through our partnership, MAF provided grants covering their work permit and social security application costs.

Carlos and Soledad’s Journey

Carlos left Nicaragua for San Francisco seeking better opportunities for his family. “Like all immigrants, I came here for a better future,” he explained. Despite his background as a lawyer in Nicaragua, economic and political challenges had limited his prospects at home.

His early days in San Francisco brought significant hardships—he wasn’t paid for work and was robbed. Undeterred, Carlos borrowed money from his sister to launch a car washing business, living in his van for two years while building his foundation.

Perseverance Against All Odds

Facing these difficult circumstances, Carlos briefly considered returning to Nicaragua but instead sought out resources. His first breakthrough came when he found Jubilee Immigration Advocates, who assisted with his immigration case.

A pivotal moment came in court when a judge handed Carlos a flyer of organizations and resources, advising: “Knock on doors, make calls, and if one door closes, keep going.” Despite anxiety about making calls in English and family warnings about seeking assistance, Carlos persisted.

This determination led him to the free citizenship workshop where his family connected with MAF staff, accessing support that might have otherwise remained out of reach.

Turning Dreams into Reality

Without MAF’s financial support, Carlos and his family would have faced significant delays in their applications. Now, Soledad can begin working, bringing the family closer to their dreams of homeownership and creating better opportunities for their daughter.

“Sincerely, I have no words to thank MAF and your staff, and everyone who has helped me. I keep in mind what the judge advised me, to persevere. Being in this country is hard…not everyone has a beautiful story, there’s stories of hardship, setbacks, and tears.”

Initially reluctant to seek help, Carlos and Soledad have overcome their fears and are now on the path to higher wages and a brighter future for their family.

In Carlos’s own words: “I am living the American Dream, and our start was hard, but maybe the good will come.”

By eliminating economic barriers to naturalization through our OCEIA partnership, we’re helping community members like Carlos and his family transform their dreams into reality and build secure futures in the United States.