Radio Station Spreads the Word on Green Cards

With a deadline fast approaching, a Spanish-language radio station teamed up Wednesday with a legal aid agency in Pacoima to urge illegal immigrants to learn about a chance to obtain green cards without leaving the country.

The message hit its mark.

By 10 a.m., the toll-free phone lines were jammed and the lobby was packed at Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, causing radio personalities to urge listeners to make appointments instead of showing up unannounced at the Pacoima center’s door.

That sense of urgency, heightened by confusion over who qualifies for the limited amnesty, is common among immigrants, legal experts said.

The INS estimates 500,000 people in the United States could qualify for the program, and probably 40% reside in the Southland.

Currently, most people who have entered the United States illegally or violated legal immigrant status are required to leave the country before applying for a green card, which allows the holder to live and work here permanently. The limited amnesty program allows those here illegally to apply for a green card without leaving.

But the opportunity to apply for the amnesty ends April 30, officials said.

Panicking, some applicants have paid exorbitant fees to individuals or agencies who fill out the forms for the amnesty program, officials said.

The program does impose a $1,000 penalty, but the Immigration and Naturalization Service does not demand that fine until a visa is granted, said Sharon Gavin, INS spokeswoman.

“It’s a blatant rip-off if people ask for that $1,000 fee upfront,” Gavin said.

A month ago, the story of a Salvadoran woman who paid $1,500 to an attorney to apply for the green card program reached Cesar Oscar Prado, general producer for KWKW (1330).

“We found out he was not an attorney and she was charged $1,500,” Prado said. After paying the money, the man “almost kicked her out of his office and told her there was nothing he could do for her.”

Later, Prado said, the man was reported to state consumer fraud officials and the woman applied to the amnesty program.

Such stories spurred Prado to organize Wednesday’s daylong radio marathon at Neighborhood Legal Services to help prevent further exploitation.

“There are a lot of people being fraudulently promised results that can’t be delivered,” said Liza Hirsch Medina, a managing attorney at Neighborhood Legal Services.

To qualify for the amnesty program, applicants must have been in the United States on Dec. 21, 2000, Gavin said, and they must have sponsors. U.S. citizens may legally sponsor a spouse, children, siblings or parents. Green card holders may sponsor a spouse, children under 21 and unmarried children over 21.

Gavin said people whose applications are rejected will be subject to possible deportation.

For that reason, Neighborhood Legal Services, the Spanish-language media, immigrant advocacy groups and the INS are in a down-to-the-wire push to disseminate accurate information.

“For those people who are eligible, it’s a wonderful thing, but it’s sad that someone who may not have been here four days before Christmas loses out,” Medina said. “And it’s sad that there may not be enough time for people to get the qualified work done.”

Arnulfo Martinez, 49, of Pacoima, may be one of the lucky ones. Speaking through an interpreter, Martinez, who has had a green card since 1988, said he sought help in February at Neighborhood Legal Services. His wife and son have been here since 1996, but they did not understand how to apply.

Martinez said he is hopeful his wife and son will qualify. And he himself has started the process to become a citizen. “I want more than anything else to be a citizen,” he said.

The INS will have two information sessions, Saturday and April 21, at its offices at 300 N. Los Angeles St., Room 1001, Gavin said. Both will begin at 8 a.m.

Neighborhood Legal Services also offers free assistance in filling out forms and answers questions about the program. Its toll-free number is (800) 433-6251.