INS Names 7 S.D. Groups to Aid in Immigration Law

The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service has chosen seven San Diego County organizations that will assist the INS in the initial processing of illegal aliens filing for amnesty under the new immigration law, officials said Tuesday.

The INS will begin accepting applications May 5.

At a San Diego news conference, INS Western Regional Commissioner Harold Ezell described the groups as the “backbone” of the massive amnesty sign-up effort nationwide.

Under the immigration rules signed into law last November, illegal aliens who have resided continuously in the United States since Jan. 1, 1982, may be eligible for legalization. Illegal aliens who have worked in agriculture may qualify if they have performed at least 90 days of farm work during a recent one-year period.

Key Role for Groups

In drafting the bill, Congress assigned a key role to various groups, such as church and agricultural agencies, volunteer groups and private organizations. Recognizing that many illegal aliens would be hesitant to approach the INS directly, lawmakers reasoned that the amnesty applicants would feel more comfortable dealing initially with various community-based groups.

In San Diego County, officials expect that as many as 100,000 illegal aliens will apply for amnesty.

Although some groups have expressed fears that they haven’t had sufficient time to prepare for the expected rush of applicants, those present at the news conference Tuesday expressed confidence.

“I think we’ll be ready,” said Maria Elena Verdugo, legalization coordinator for Catholic Community Services in San Diego, where 10,000 applicants have already registered for amnesty benefits.

Generally, applicants will pay fees to the agencies based on individual financial abilities, with basic fees topping out at about $75 per application. In addition, individual applicants will have to pay the INS a fee of $185.

The five approved amnesty-assistance agencies within the city limits of San Diego are: Border View YMCA, 750 Beyer Way; ACCESS Inc., 6970 Linda Vista Road; Catholic Community Services, 349 Adar St.; Center for Employment Training Inc., 2961 B St.; Trabajadores de la Raza Inc., 119 W. Hall Ave., San Ysidro.

Others groups offering assistance in San Diego County are North County Centro Inc., 111 N. Ivy St., Escondido, and SER-JOBS for Progress, 815 3rd Ave., Chula Vista.