Toni’s Kitchen Program Helps Guests with Immigration Law Information

Getting information about immigration law has been a need for guests of Toni's Kitchen for some time. Unfortunately, the majority of nearby legal practices are understaffed and overcommitted. Recently, Toni's has begun offering help by partnering with Sonia Muller, an immigration lawyer, at Choice Pantry. Sonia immigrated from Argentina and has first-hand knowledge of the difficulties of living in a new foreign country and navigating through the complex legal immigration process. Her practice provides education and information in both English and Spanish on topics like U.S. citizenship, work permits, family immigration, removal defense, and other issues.

Nancy Xenakis, a staff member of Toni's Kitchen who manages Choice Pantry's community-based partnerships, says that Sonia, along with Elsy Barron, a paralegal in her firm, first visited Toni's Kitchen on July 24. Sonia engaged with all of the guests at Choice Pantry and 20 guests had specific questions for her. Based on that interest, Sonia scheduled the last two weeks in August where she is offering free 30-minute telephone consultations for guests who sign up. "Sonia will answer questions and talk to them about their own cases. And if a guest wants to hire her afterwards, she offers a sliding payment scale if they want representation," said Nancy. Nancy says that Sonia plans to make telephone consultations available each month and will hopefully come onsite a few times per year..

Sonia also has a strong social media presence, where she posts short informational videos about immigration topics for the public. This has been shared with Toni's guests as well.

Toni's partnership with Sonia helps fill an important gap that was needed by our guests. One guest commented, "I have been searching for immigration law services for years for me and my family. It is so helpful that Choice Pantry offers an opportunity to meet with the attorney onsite and then can follow up by phone afterwards. I learned an important tip just from my first few minutes of speaking with her."

This program is another way that Toni's Kitchen supports our guests with real-life help to improve their lives.