by Natasha B. | Nov 4, 2022 | Immigration, Press Releases and Statements, Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
IMMIGRATION UPDATE AS OF: Monday, October 31, 2022
Immigration Update Pertaining to Burma and the Extension and Redesignation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended and redesignated Burma for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) through May 25, 2024.
What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may designate a foreign country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States. Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.
What does this announcement mean?
The extension of TPS for Burma allows Burmese nationals (and individuals without nationality who last resided in Burma) who have already been granted TPS to re-register for TPS from September 27, 2022 through November 26, 2022.
The redesignation of TPS for Burma allows Burmese nationals (and individuals without nationality who last resided in Burma) who have continuously resided in the United States since September 25, 2022 and have had continuous physical presence in the United States since November 26, 2022 to file an initial application for TPS, as long as they meet eligibility requirements. Individuals granted TPS are not removable from the United States, can obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or work permit, Social Security Number, and may be granted travel authorization.
When can I apply for TPS?
Those who already have TPS must re-register during a 60-day period from September 27, 2022 through November 26, 2022. Those applying for TPS for the first time have from September 27, 2022 to May 25, 2024 to do so.
How do I apply?
We recommend consulting a lawyer to determine if you are eligible to apply for TPS and to learn more about what documents you need to include in your application.
For more information about TPS and referrals to free legal service providers, you can call the New Americans Hotline at (800) 566-7636, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
For additional information, you can also contact Action NYC at (800) 354-0365 – Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. – to connect with City-funded, free and safe immigration legal help.
by Natasha B. | Nov 4, 2022 | Immigration, Press Releases and Statements, Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
IMMIGRATION UPDATE AS OF: Monday, October 31, 2022
Immigration Update Pertaining to Ethiopia and Its Designation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
On October 21, 2022, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Ethiopia will be designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months.
What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may designate a foreign country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States. Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.
What does this announcement mean?
The designation of TPS for Ethiopia allows Ethiopian nationals (and individuals without nationality who last resided in Ethiopia) who have continuously resided in the United States since October 20, 2022 to file an initial application for TPS, as long as they meet eligibility requirements. Please note that those who travel to the United States after October 20, 2022, are not be eligible for TPS. Individuals granted TPS are not removable from the United States, can obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or work permit, Social Security Number, and may be granted travel authorization.
When can I apply for TPS?
Please note that because the TPS designation has not been officially published in the Federal Register yet, the application process has NOT started. To confirm the start of the application process, please call the New York State New Americans Hotline – a hotline that provides free information and referrals on immigration matters – at 800-566-7636, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
How do I apply?
We recommend consulting a lawyer to determine if you are eligible to apply for TPS and to learn more about what documents you need to include in your application.
For more information about TPS and referrals to free legal service providers, you can call the New Americans Hotline at (800) 566-7636, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
For additional information, you can also contact Action NYC at (800) 354-0365 – Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. – to connect with City-funded, free and safe immigration legal help.
by Natasha B. | Nov 4, 2022 | Immigration, Press Releases and Statements, Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
IMMIGRATION UPDATE AS OF: Monday, October 31, 2022
Immigration Update Pertaining to Venezuela and the Extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, through March 10, 2024.
What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may designate a foreign country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States. Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.
What does this announcement mean?
The extension of TPS for Venezuela allows Venezuelan nationals (and individuals without nationality who last resided in Venezuela) who have continuously resided in the United States since March 8, 2021, been continuously physically present since March 9, 2021, and who have previously registered for TPS to re-register for TPS from September 8, 2022 through November 7, 2022.
Those who had their initial application for TPS pending as of September 8, 2022, do not have to file to re-register for TPS. In addition, DHS automatically extended the validity of work authorizations previously issued under the TPS designation for Venezuela through September 9, 2023.
When can I apply for TPS?
Those who already have TPS must re-register during a 60-day period from September 8, 2022 through November 7, 2022 in order to maintain TPS until March 10, 2024.
How do I apply?
We recommend consulting a lawyer to discuss TPS re-registration and to learn more about what documents you need to include in your application.
For more information about TPS and referrals to free legal service providers, you can call the New Americans Hotline at (800) 566-7636, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
For additional information, you can also contact Action NYC at (800) 354-0365 – Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. – to connect with City-funded, free and safe immigration legal help.
by Natasha B. | Nov 4, 2022 | Immigration, Press Releases and Statements, Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
IMMIGRATION UPDATE AS OF: Monday, October 31, 2022
Immigration Update Pertaining to Syria and the Extension and Redesignation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended and redesignated Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) through March 31, 2024.
What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may designate a foreign country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States. Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.
What does this announcement mean?
The extension of TPS for Syria allows Syrian nationals (and individuals without nationality who last resided in Syria) who have already been granted TPS to re-register for TPS from August 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022.
The redesignation of TPS for Syria allows Syrian nationals (and individuals without nationality who last resided in Syria) who have continuously resided in the United States since July 28, 2022 and have had continuous physical presence in the United States since October 1, 2022 to file an initial application for TPS, as long as they meet eligibility requirements. Individuals granted TPS are not removable from the United States, can obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or work permit, Social Security Number, and may be granted travel authorization.
When can I apply for TPS?
Those who already have TPS must re-register during a 60-day period from August 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022. Those applying for TPS for the first time have from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024 to do so.
How do I apply?
We recommend consulting a lawyer to determine if you are eligible to apply for TPS and to learn more about what documents you need to include in your application.
For more information about TPS and referrals to free legal service providers, you can call the New Americans Hotline at (800) 566-7636, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
For additional information, you can also contact Action NYC at (800) 354-0365 – Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. – to connect with City-funded, free and safe immigration legal help.
by Natasha B. | Oct 14, 2022 | Internships & Careers
2023 SPRING AND SUMMER LEGAL INTERNSHIPS
Catholic Migration Services (“CMS”) is currently accepting 2023 summer legal internship applications for our Tenant Advocacy, Immigration, and Workers Rights’ Programs. CMS is a nonprofit provider of legal services primarily serving low-income residents of Brooklyn and Queens and is an affiliated agency of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens.
Interns will be responsible for legal research, drafting legal memoranda and other documents, factual investigation, assisting in hearing/trial preparation, development of educational and outreach materials, client interviewing, and a host of other needs that arise in CMS litigation and advocacy efforts. Interns also may have opportunities to observe CMS attorneys in court or administrative agency proceedings.
The Tenant Advocacy Program (“TAP”) at CMS assists tenants – primarily residents of Queens – with a wide array of housing-related legal services ranging from brief advice to full representation in court proceedings. TAP assists tenants with matters such as eviction defense, obtaining needed repairs, combatting landlord harassment and rent overcharges, obtaining renewal leases, and obtaining rent increase exemptions for seniors and persons with disabilities. We typically litigate cases in Queens Housing Court and at administrative agencies, and also periodically represent clients in Queens Supreme Court and the Second Department. Because TAP also has tenant organizers, our legal team and organizers collaborate to lead community education events and bring group cases.
The Immigration Program at CMS is comprised of three units: Removal Defense, Affirmative Filings, and Naturalization. Removal Defense represents immigrants who are before Immigration Court seeking forms of relief such as defensive asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, cancellation of removal for lawful permanent residents and non-lawful permanent residents, motions to reopen, and 212(C) waivers. The Removal Defense team also files affirmative asylum petitions, U visas, T visas and I-130 family based petitions associated with a removal case before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”). The affirmative filings team files R visas, religious worker petitions, consular processing family petitions, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions, I-130 family petitions, inadmissibility waivers, I-90 green card renewals, and adjustment of status applications. The Naturalization team submits naturalization applications and N-600 (application for certificate of citizenship for people who derived or acquired US citizenship through their parents) applications before USCIS. We are seeking summer interns to assist with our removal defense and affirmative work.
The Workers’ Rights Program at CMS works towards strengthening the enforcement of workers’ rights through affirmative litigation, policy reform, individual representation, and community education. In collaboration with workers’ centers and community-based organizations citywide, the Workers’ Rights Program provides advice and representation to hundreds of low-income and immigrant workers each year facing a range of problems, including wage theft, entitlement to paid and unpaid leave (family leave, sick leave, etc…), discrimination, unemployment insurance, and other basic workplace rights. The Workers’ Rights Program represents clients at various city, state and federal enforcement agencies, as well as in state and federal courts.
General Information
Applicants should be currently enrolled in an ABA accredited law school. The internship is unpaid, however CMS will support the applicant’s effort to obtain funding from outside sources (e.g., their law school, Equal Justice America, etc.).
Application Instructions
Interested applicants should email a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references directly to the program to which they are applying:
For Immigration Internships (Please direct your application materials to the intended unit):
Lynn Neugebauer
Supervising Attorney, Removal Defense Project
Email: lneugebauer@catholicmigration.org
Christopher Holtz
Supervising Attorney, Affirmative Filings Unit
Email: choltz@catholicmigration.org
For Tenant Advocacy Internships:
Jonathan Cohen
Managing Attorney, Tenant Advocacy Program
Email: jcohen@catholicmigration.org
For Workers’ Rights Internships:
Alice Davis
Supervising Attorney, Workers’ Rights Program
Email: adavis@catholicmigration.org
