Sonoma immigrants get to ‘know their rights’ at Hanna community meeting

A standing room only crowd of approximately 250 people packed the Hanna Boys Center auditorium Tuesday, Feb. 28 for a community meeting billed as “Know Your Rights When Dealing with Immigration.” The presentation was conducted in Spanish and led by Lucy Benz-Rogers, an International Institute of the Bay Area attorney who recently opened an office at La Luz Center to assist local residents with immigration issues.

Many in the Latino community are reportedly in a fearful mood given what is viewed to be a potentially hostile and somewhat confusing situation regarding immigrant rights since President Trump took office in January. Paramount in Benz-Rogers’ message was to encourage families to have an emergency plan in case a family member is deported, including legally designating a trusted person to care for their children.

Additionally, a workshop was held at La Luz this week where 65 families were assisted in filling out short-term legal guardianship forms, and two notaries were on hand to authenticate the documents. “We are being proactive,” said La Luz Executive Director Juan Hernandez. He said the Latino community is feeling that they don’t know what’s going on – that something is going on and they don’t know what to do. “There are rumors of ICE raids, and a lot of misinformation, and the residue is one of fear and uncertainty.” He said they are asking, “Who is going to take care of the kids?” and that is a question La Luz is helping them address.

U.S. census numbers from 2014, provided by La Luz, show that 28 percent of the Valley’s 42,587 residents are Hispanic, and that 5,752 Valley residents are non-citizens.

Benz-Rogers is assisting eligible green card holders to become citizens and is advising undocumented residents of their rights. She said the reason many green card holders, who are lawful permanent residents, do not take the next step toward citizenship is because they are not confident in their English language skills. She directs them to English classes offered at La Luz and elsewhere, and encourages many that their language skills may be strong enough to pass the English test, which consists of reading, writing and speaking, and to learn the answers to the 100 pre-set U.S. civic questions potentially asked in the citizenship test. Applicants are only asked 10 questions from the list, and six correct answers passes.

“Some people underestimate their skills,” she said. She noted that the $725 application fee “can also be a hindrance,” and that there are some circumstances that allow the fee to be waived. She also advises people on exceptions, such as if a person is over 50 and been here 20 years, or over 55 and been here 15 years, they don’t have to take the test in English.

“People are definitely anxious,” she said. “There is an increased interest in becoming a citizen. There is a recognition that now is a good time to come in and talk to an attorney and see what can be done for you.”

Benz-Rogers said that the reason people come into the United States from Mexico without legal documentation is because it is “extremely difficult” to get a visa. One of the most common ways to be accepted in is to have a family member already in the U.S. apply for you, “and that can take decades.”

Since the IIBA office opened at La Luz on Jan. 20, Benz-Rogers has had “dozens” of calls. She first sees clients for a 30-minute screening session when she asks a checklist of questions to determine their eligibility. Those she can help on a path to citizenship then come back for further consultation, but for many there is not much that can be done.

“Most have already been here for a long while. They just have to continue the battle of their lives. Some may already have two decades with the black cloud of deportation hanging over their heads,” she said.

“They are parents of children who were born here, who have worked hard, paid taxes and been here for many years. All these positive features should make them not a priority for deportation. But in the meantime it is very important to have a plan.”

Along with guardianship for children, she said having important numbers documented, having two names on bank accounts or mortgages, and keeping birth certificates and health care documents organized and accessible to more than one person are sound ideas.

Benz-Rogers explained that people come here from Mexico to build better lives for themselves and their children. Many who have left were facing violence and/or extreme economic disadvantages in their homeland. “Pressures like that lead people to come here,” she said.

Hernandez noted that some Latino residents came to the community meeting with their employers. “It was very cool to see that,” he said, which he considers an indication that there is great support for the Latino community. La Luz is getting ready to launch a fundraising drive to help with the expenses of immigrant support. There are many who are willing to help, as exemplified by Hanna Boys Center sponsoring the meeting, providing the venue, a burrito dinner and child care.

“We are happy to help any way we can. We rely on our allies in the community,” said Hanna Institute Director Mary Kelly Persyn.

“There’s a lot of action right now,” Hernandez said. “It is really a time for everyone to work together.” And it is galvanizing Latinos in a way that may not have otherwise happened. La Luz is organizing another “Know Your Rights” meeting at the El Verano Community School multipurpose room March 7, 6 to 8 p.m.

“This is La Luz’s time to shine bright,” Hernandez said.