Immigration Services to Be Offered at Mall

The Panorama Mall will mark Citizenship Day on Tuesday with a special program to help eligible residents navigate the citizenship process.

Similar workshops will be taking place throughout the United States as part of a national effort to increase awareness on how to become citizens.

Rep. Howard Berman (D-Panorama City) and City Councilman Richard Alarcon are co-sponsoring the event with Panorama Mall and the help of several local businesses that will offer services at discounted rates.

For $40--somewhat less than the amount charged by most immigration service providers--applicants will be able to complete the entire process in one location.

The $40 fee includes assistance with the application, photographs, fingerprinting, a reference guide to United States history, and a video and textbook designed to help individuals study for the citizenship test.

A separate fee is charged by the Immigration and Naturalization Service to process the application.

“There are a lot of benefits to doing it this way,” said Felipe Kofman, owner of Felipe’s Discount Immigration, who will be assisting applicants at the mall.

Applicants must bring proof of residency (green card), a Social Security card and California driver’s license or California identification. Alosy, applicants must furnish proof of their employment history and place of residence for the past five years.

Application services will be offered from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the central kiosk area of Panorama Mall, 8401 Van Nuys Blvd.