Pasadena Public Library will host a free virtual legal clinic with an immigration attorney Nov. 19, continuing the library’s commitment to providing crucial immigration resources to a community where nearly a third of residents were born outside the United States.
The Zoom webinar will feature an immigration attorney specializing in work visa petitions and family-based immigration petitions. Services will be available in both English and Spanish, and registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
“Libraries try to provide resources on everything including immigration, which is a very complex issue,” said AnnMarie Kolakowski, senior librarian at La Pintoresca Branch Library. “Recently, there has been increased interest in this topic.”
The timing reflects growing community need. In July, the City of Pasadena filed a legal motion addressing what it called “an unprecedented increase in aggressive federal immigration enforcement activity, which has spread fear, confusion, and distress among Pasadena residents, including those who have lived in the City for decades and even among U.S. citizens.”
The webinar represents significant value to community members, as immigration attorney consultations typically carry substantial fees, not including government filing fees.
The library previously hosted a similar immigration law webinar on July 15 with attorney Ruben Martinez Jr., who has over 10 years of experience in immigration law.
The immigration legal clinic initiative stems from a $62,000 Library Services and Technology Act grant the library received from the California State Library in June.
The library notes this is a consultation and informational webinar, not direct legal representation.
Zoom Legal Clinic with an Immigration Attorney will run on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 6-7 p.m. Online via Zoom.com. Registration required. For more information, call (626) 744-4066 or visit https://www.cityofpasadena.net/library/calendar/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D191047552. Admission: Free.
