CC - Item 5A - Immigration and Naturalization Service Local Pilot Program - Internal Files Box 069TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS
ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
FROM: FRANK G. TRIPEPI, CITY
MANAGER--"~-
DATE: SEPTEMBER 4, 1991
RE: IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE LOCAL PILOT PROGRAM
This item was continued from the August 27th meeting at the request
of the Council. Staff has investigated specific questions and
concerns raised by Councilmembers regarding this Pilot Program.
Contact with area churches and community groups revealed none that
provide direct assistance to residents for Immigration and
Naturalization matters. Two churches indicated that they refer
people to Catholic Charities of Los Angeles. According to Catholic
Charities, they do provide assistance in filling out and filing forms
for a fee which ranges from $75 to $400. In addition, one church
refers to a private law firm, which provides assistance at their
' normal fee. Neither Garvey nor Rosemead School District has any
established program for this type of assistance. As for the forms
themselves, there is no authorized distribution point outside of INS
offices. Law firms can obtain forms for clients, but on a limited
basis only.
Another principal concern was the potential that this Progam might
quickly overwhelm staff resources. For the reasons outlined in the
initial staff report, estimating the number of people that would
avail themselves of this service is difficult. It is conceivable
that the response would be beyond staff capability, in which case
measures could be taken to limit staff time spent on this Program,
and to limit access. However, experience with other City programs
has shown that midstream changes in programs with heavy demand often
leads to considerable consternation and dissatisfaction among
residents.
COUNCIL AGENDA
SEP 1 '0 1921
ITEM No.
Page 2.
Finally, there were some questions regarding the INS process and what
service could be provided in this Program that would be of
substantive value. In general, the immigration and naturalization
process involves only obtaining correct forms, filling them out and
filing them, an interview under certain circumstances, and
adjudication by INS. Obtaining the correct forms involves not just
travel to an INS office, but also dealing with an admittedly
overburdened staff. This situation can make it extremely difficult
to obtain the forms needed for a given situation. The opportunity to
deal with someone locally, who could perhaps briefly query an
applicant to ensure comprehensiveness and accuracy, would alleviate
this difficulty to a large extent.
If the City Council is in favor of
appropriate to direct staff to take
it with a review after four months.
the Program, it will be
the necessary steps to implement
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