Agency's Message: No Reason To Fear Us

Dec. 1 Forum Aims To Debunk Myths

The Northern Virginia office of the federal agency that processes immigration applications will hold its first public forum next month to answer questions from immigrants.

The forum also is intended to spread word that the agency, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, is distinct from its feared federal cousins, the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

"We don't want people to fear us," said Greg Christian, director of the Vienna office of USCIS. "We want to debunk the myths of USCIS and help people understand that we're here to provide a service."

The agency is often assailed by applicants and immigration lawyers as an impenetrable bureaucracy with complicated forms and a help hotline that dispenses unreliable information. It has also recently been under fire for raising application fees.

But USCIS does not arrest illegal immigrants. That is usually the province of ICE or U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which also are divisions of the Department of Homeland Security. Immigrants often confuse the agencies, Christian said.

Officials will explain the differences at the meeting Dec. 1 at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church in Annandale, Christian said. They also will discuss the applications and where to find information online.

The event is open to the first 350 people who reserve a spot and will be most helpful for people whose petitions would be processed by the Vienna office. Those include D.C. and Virginia residents applying for permanent residency or citizenship, sponsoring relatives or adopting a foreign child.

Christian said "there is nothing stopping" illegal immigrants from attending and said ICE officials have assured him they will not raid the event. The agency wants to hold more forums, he said, and a raid at the first one would doom the plan.

"That's also a reason we are holding it at a church. It connotes sanctuary," he said.

The event will be held in English. Those wishing to attend must RSVP and submit questions to the D.C.-based National African Immigrant Resource Center, the forum's sponsor, by Nov. 21.

"How to Do Business With USCIS," 11:30 a.m. Dec. 1 at Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church, 3901 Gallows Rd., Annandale. RSVP tonationalafricanirc@yahoo.comor 703-439-9570.