1-Stop Immigration Service to Be Offered

“Thanks America,” an event to help eligible residents complete their citizenship applications, will be held Wednesday at Panorama Mall.

“The next day is Thanksgiving, and we thought it was natural to tie the holiday to these people’s decision to become citizens,” said event sponsor Felipe Kofman, owner of Felipe’s Discount Immigration.

With the help of several businesses in the mall, applicants will be able to complete the entire application process in one location, Kofman said.

For $40--somewhat less than the amount charged by most immigrant service providers--applicants will receive assistance with paperwork, photographs, fingerprints and postage. They will also receive a reference guide to U.S. history and a video and textbook designed to help individuals study for the immigration exam.

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

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

“People prefer doing it this way where everything is one place,” said Kofman.

Wednesday’s event will be held from 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the central kiosk area of the mall, 8401 Van Nuys Blvd.