La Guía del Inmigrante Goes Statewide.

After an overwhelming response in Southern California, La guía del inmigrante: Respuestas legales y de inmigración, is available throughout the state.

Co-authors Karen H. Nicholas and Elizabeth G. Fautsch created La guía del inmigrante, the first guide of its kind, in order to provide Hispanics with the immigration information they need most: a summary of current laws and regulations, additional resources they can turn to for advice, and an entire chapter on seeking legal counsel and avoiding immigration scams.

For the first time questions and answers regarding Hispanic immigrants are compiled in one, easy-to-read guide. Each section begins with a real life story as told by an immigrant, giving the text an immediacy that is missing from government issued literature.

“After reading the guide I had a very good understanding of how the immigration process actually works,” says Daniel Kerbel of Mexico City. “The chapter ‘Buscando Abogados’ helped me to find an honest lawyer and now my family and I know where we stand,” says Teresa Gonzales, who read the book and found an attorney through the guide’s directory.

Since 9/11 several measures intended to assist family unity have been abandoned and the risk of deportation has increased for all immigrants. In 2002, 148,146 aliens were deported from the US; more than 108,000 of those were Mexicans, and another 13,000 from Central America. La guía del inmigrante helps readers to understand and avoid such unfortunate outcomes.

“It is very rewarding to hear that La guía del inmigrante is helping Hispanics to get the answers and help they need,” says Nicholas. “We knew we needed to make the guide available to the rest of California as soon as possible” adds Fautsch. Both immigrants themselves, they bring the reader the most relevant information from government and legal sources using clear and concise language and examples.

The new California edition also includes a statewide resource directory with listings of reputable law firms that cater to the Hispanic market and non-profit organizations, contact information for the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and other government agencies, as well as useful phone numbers and websites. The guide can be found in markets all across California or by calling toll free: 866-767-8977.

In the near future La Guia del Inmigrante, Inc. will publish regional guides on education and health care, real estate/buying a house, and household finances.