Leader of Citizenship Services to Retire

Eduardo Palacios recalls a time in the 1950s, long before he became a U.S. citizen, when he would regularly scale the wall along the Mexican border to look for farm work in California and Arizona.

“It was easy then. It is much harder for people now,” he said.

The native of Nicaragua would later settle in the San Fernando Valley, where he raised his four children while working as a supervisor at a Sylmar chemical company and earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Cal State Northridge.

A desire to help other immigrants who were falling prey to unscrupulous people in their attempt to become citizens led Palacios to form Immigration Service of Santa Rosa at Santa Rosa Catholic Church in 1971.

“Originally we thought it would be a one- or two-day thing,” Palacios said. “But so many people came, we decided to stay longer and I just never quit.”

Today, 27 years, two locations and tens of thousands of clients later, Palacios, 70, the dean of Valley immigration services, will finally step down as director of the nonprofit agency.

“It’s a little sad, but it’s time for me to move on,” said Palacios, whom friends credit with unfailing honesty and compassion during his long career. “There is a lot of satisfaction knowing that we have been able to help so many people, especially the families.”

Juana Mojica, a San Fernando political activist and Santa Rosa board member, has known Palacios since she was 16. He helped her complete her citizenship application and she volunteered at the agency.

“We’re going to miss him, he’s so dedicated to his job,” Mojica said. “He’s been an inspiration to me. He’s more connected to the people than anyone I’ve ever known.

Palacios, whose trademark red hair is now mostly gray, said he plans to travel and work as a volunteer at hospitals and prisons. He may be retiring, but he is not going out quietly.

Tonight, more than 350 friends, family, clients and political leaders ranging from Rep. Howard Berman (D-Mission Hills) to Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon will honor Palacios at The Castaway restaurant in Burbank.