http://www.whittierdailynews.com/Storie ... 75,00.html

6/7/2005

Officials offer survival guide for immigrants
By Brian Day , Correspondent

Federal immigration officials today will release a first-ever comprehensive survival guide for immigrants, with tips on everything from completing the naturalization process to finding a home, a job and health care.

"Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants,' will be available in English and Spanish through various community organizations. It is also available free on the Internet at www.uscis.gov Translations into other languages such as Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Tagalog will soon follow, officials said.

The guide "contains basic information that will help you settle in the United States and find what you and your family need for everyday life,' according to the publication.

The goal is to help immigrants better assimilate to American culture and government, said Maria Elena Garcia-Upson, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles district office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The scope of the guide goes far beyond anything federal immigration officials have ever offered in the past, Garcia-Upson said.

"Often times, immigrants coming to America find it hard to navigate our bureaucratic society,' she said. "This is something we're very proud of.'

Details of the guide, how much it will cost and where it can be purchased were will be released by USCIS Chief Alfonso Aguilar at a news conference today in Los Angeles.

But according to the agency's Web site, the guide covers a wide array of topics not only advice on navigating the complex legalization process, but also tips on how to find a job and a place to live, how to access emergency help, how to enroll children in schools, open a bank account, pay taxes, or find a local English class.

It also warns immigrants of their legal responsibilities, such as registering with the Selective Service and keeping their immigration status up to date.

Ian Mehlman, media director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, an anti-illegal immigration group, said he has no problem with the federal government providing such information, so long as it does not replace the role of immigrant sponsors, who have the primary responsibility for helping and guiding the immigrants they sponsor.

"Every immigrant has a sponsor who promises to be there in a time of need,' said Mehlman. "But the pledges are never enforced, and the taxpayers end up (financially) supporting immigrants who should be supported by their sponsors.'

He also worried the guide would make it easier for immigrants to take advantage of benefits he believes should be reserved only for citizens.

"If it's helping people find their way through bureaucracy, then God bless them. But if it's helping people who should be supported by their sponsors and end up being supported by the taxpayers, then that's another story,' Mehlman said.

But Nativo Lopez, president of the Mexican American Political Association, called the guide book "a great idea and a long time in coming,' predicting it will cut down on the number of phoned-in questions the USCIS receives daily from confused immigrants.