by | Jul 3, 2020 | Newsletter
As the pandemic continues to cause unprecedented trauma and profound financial hardship, Pars Equality Center (Pars) strives to support the community through various initiatives. Thanks to the generosity of private donors, philanthropic foundations and government grants, Pars offers the following assistance to qualified individuals and households:
- Pars Youth Grant /The American Dream is a financial grant dedicated to ensuring the future generation’s academic success. The students must be currently graduating from high school in California, with specific plans to continue their education in a College or a University in California. The amount of the grant varies based on financial need and educational costs of the institute for each student. The maximum award will be $10,000 per student. The deadline for submitting the application is July 15. To apply, please click HERE.
- The Goodarzi Scholarship Grant is a financial assistance designed to assist college students in California. This grant is awarded to female students of Iranian descent who-within the last seven years-have migrated to the United States. The deadline for submitting the application is July 15. To apply, please click HERE.
- Pars Los Angeles Emergency Food Assistance Program supports households affected by the pandemic. The food distributed at our center in Sherman Oaks includes nonperishable, shelf-stable food items, food vouchers and also face masks. So far, we have served 317 community members thanks to our partnership with Radio 670 AM KIRN and our sponsors: The office of Council Member David Ryu, Kadbanou and Abali Food Products, Sadaf Food, Almas Food, Chop Chop Products, Woodland Hills Market, Golchin Products, Barcelona Enterprise, Delphi Greek, International Summit and King’s Market. To apply, please click HERE.
- Pars San Jose has partnered with Destination Home and Sacred Heart Community Service to offer COVID-19 Financial Assistance. Among other eligibility criteria, individuals must reside in Santa Clara County and be Extremely Low Income based on the County’s Median Income Level. Since the launch of this program in June, we have assisted 10 individuals by offering them $1000 each. To learn more, please click HERE.
by | Jun 23, 2020 | Uncategorized
The Trump administration has made it harder for asylum seekers to get work permission in the U.S. while waiting for their application to be adjudicated. Under the final rule which will take effect on August 25, 2020, asylum seekers who enter the U.S. between designated ports of entry are ineligible for a work permit while they wait for their asylum application to be decided, unless the individual can show “good cause.”
Asylum seekers who do not fall within the above category would have to wait 365 days to become qualified to get a work permit as opposed to the current 150-day waiting period. Furthermore, individuals who do not file for asylum within one year of arriving in the U.S. generally won’t be permitted to work.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Pars Equality Center’s Immigration Services:
408-261-6405 (San Jose Office) / 818-325-7551 (Los Angeles Office)
immigration@parsequalitycenter.org / immigrationLA@parsequalitycenter.org
by | Jun 22, 2020 | Uncategorized
On Monday, the Trump administration renewed the 60-day suspension of entry of most immigrant visa applicants until the end of the year. This measure that was initially introduced on April 22, applies to those who are outside the United States and do not already have an immigrant visa or travel document.
In addition to extending the April 22 suspension, the administration has introduced non-immigrant visa categories to the banned list. As of 12:01 am ET on June 24 and until December 31, 2020 (subject to continuation), foreigners are prohibited from coming to the US through a variety of visa categories, including H-1B visas, L visas for foreigners transferring to the U.S. offices of multinational companies; J-1 visas for some scholars and people participating in cultural and work exchanges; and H2-B temporary workers in nonagricultural industries. Like the previous proclamation, the suspension applies to those who are outside the United States and do not have a valid visa or travel document.
As always, Pars Equality Center is here to guide you through these unprecedented changes to U.S. immigration policies. Please do not hesitate to contact our Immigration Services if you have any questions:
408-261-6405 (San Jose Office) / 818-325-7551 (Los Angeles Office)
immigration@parsequalitycenter.org / immigrationLA@parsequalitycenter.org.
by | Jun 4, 2020 | Newsletter
Pars Equality Center in San Jose is proud to be partnering with Destination: Home and Sacred Heart Community Service on the COVID-19 Financial Assistance Program (CFAP).
CFAP focuses on serving those in our community who are impacted by the current crisis, and are most in need of assistance. Specific eligibility criteria and program information are included below.
Who is Eligible for Assistance?
To qualify for assistance, households must meet all five of the eligibility criteria:
- Live in Santa Clara County
- Had a household income (prior to the COVID-19 crisis) of 30% or less of Santa Clara County Area Median Income (aka Extremely Low Income)
- Can demonstrate a loss of income related to the COVID-19 crisis
- Are not eligible for unemployment benefits or recent federal stimulus payments
- Did not already receive assistance from the Destination: Home/Sacred Heart Community Service COVID-19 Financial Assistance Program
What Will Eligible Households Receive?
Households will receive $1,000 for every individual who meets the eligibility criteria, up to a maximum of $2,000 per household.
How Can Eligible Households Request Assistance?
If you believe you are eligible based on the above criteria, please email us at: assistance@parsequalitycenter.org
by | May 28, 2020 | Uncategorized
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin reopening its offices and resume citizenship oath ceremonies in early June, more than two months after the agency canceled in-person services as a protective measure during the coronavirus pandemic.
On May 27, 2020, USCIS announced that it will reopen some of its U.S. offices on June 4, while scheduling fewer visa appointments and interviews “to ensure social distancing, allow time for cleaning and reduce waiting room occupancy,” and holding some interviews over video in separate rooms at an agency office.
The agency will also begin holding naturalization oath ceremonies but the ceremonies will be shorter and only the candidates will be permitted to attend to limit exposure, with exceptions for children and people with disabilities who require assistance.
Additionally, people entering USCIS facilities must wear face masks covering their mouths and noses and cannot arrive for interviews more than 15 minutes early or with too many people. Individuals should not come to their appointments if they are feeling sick, and there will be no penalty for rescheduling for that reason, the agency said. USCIS also encouraged applicants to bring their own pens.
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