Karlene Maxwell-Williams is encouraging immigrants and community allies to pursue U.S. citizenship and remain active in civic life, calling the process a pathway to protection, stability and democratic participation.
Maxwell-Williams shared that message while speaking on an immigration rights panel during the 32nd annual Rebellious Lawyering Conference at Yale Law School in New Haven, Connecticut, according to remarks shared by conference organizers.
“Immigration is not just about policy. It’s about power. It’s about protection. It’s about participation,” Maxwell-Williams said during the discussion. “Citizenship is more than a ceremony. It’s security. It is stability. It is the right to shape a future rather than be shaped by it.”
In addition to serving as a commissioner in Lauderdale Lakes, Maxwell-Williams is the lead citizenship coordinator for the Florida Immigrant Coalition, where she oversees a statewide program that helps legal permanent residents navigate the naturalization process.
Her work includes organizing citizenship clinics across Florida that assist applicants with completing the Form N-400 naturalization application and understanding options such as fee waivers for those who cannot afford filing costs.
“We meet people where they are and remove barriers—whether it’s cost, confusion, fear, or lack of access,” Maxwell-Williams said in remarks during the conference panel.
Maxwell-Williams’ work in immigration advocacy is rooted in her own path to citizenship. After encountering obstacles while applying for naturalization, she eventually connected with the Florida Immigrant Coalition and began volunteering with the organization in 2017. She volunteered for several years before later joining the organization’s leadership team to coordinate citizenship efforts across the state.
Since then, she has helped organize citizenship drives in communities throughout Florida, including Tampa, Jacksonville and other regions, connecting immigrants with legal guidance and support.
During the panel discussion, Maxwell-Williams said citizenship outreach must go beyond helping people complete paperwork, particularly at a time when misinformation and fear about immigration policies can discourage eligible residents from applying.
“Legal permanent residence is a privilege, but citizenship offers protection,” Maxwell-Williams said during the panel. “Citizenship is about having a voice—being able to vote, to participate, and to protect yourself and your family.”
She also encouraged citizens and community organizations to support citizenship clinics and voter engagement efforts by volunteering and helping connect residents with accurate information about the naturalization process.
“When it’s time to register to vote, we help people take that step,” Maxwell-Williams said during the conference discussion. “The work doesn’t end when the application is submitted.”
The Florida Immigrant Coalition regularly hosts citizenship clinics across the state and partners with community organizations to provide space and volunteers while supplying materials and legal guidance for applicants.
Yale’s 32nd RebLaw Conference
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
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