http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercuryn ... 861568.htm


Posted on Fri, Jun. 10, 2005

U.S. publishes guide for new immigrants

GOAL IS TO EASE TRANSITION INTO AMERICAN LIFESTYLE

By Jessie Mangaliman

Mercury News

The first-ever government guide for new immigrants -- a 102-page color booklet in English and Spanish that instructs permanent residents in everything from their legal rights to finding a home and good schools -- was issued Thursday by federal officials.

Alfonso Aguilar, chief of the office of citizenship for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said the goal of the publication is to ease new legal immigrants into ``a smoother and simpler transition into American life.''

Aguilar also announced the launching of the new guide online, in Chinese and Vietnamese, and by summer's end, he said, the guide will be online -- www.cis.gov -- in 10 languages.

``It's not only about immigration.'' Aguilar said. ``It's also about integration into American society.''

Starting this week, the USCIS will begin publicizing the guide in immigrant communities. CIS officers will hold community-based informational sessions around the country.

The realm of guides for immigrants has long been the domain of immigration lawyers, experts and non-profit community groups. The U.S. government had never published such a guide.

``We're fundamentally transforming the delivery of service to immigrants,'' Aguilar said, ``and making it hassle-free.''

Since the old INS was split into three agencies under the Department of Homeland Security in 2002, the USCIS has focused on providing information to immigrants when they get green cards, become permanent residents or apply for citizenship.

Bay Area immigrants and their advocates welcomed the guide.

``I see it as preventive medicine,'' said Adriana Gonzalez, immigration and citizenship program director for the Center for Employment Training, a non-profit group in San Jose. ``This booklet is full of good information.''

From consulting the phone book to filing tax returns, to calling a national hotline for victims of domestic violence, the guide is filled with information. There is a section on buying or renting a home, the consequences of serious criminal offenses (deportation) and the reasons for becoming a citizen.
Contact Jessie Mangaliman at jmangaliman@ mercurynews.com or (40 920-5794.