by changer | Mar 17, 2014 | News
On Sunday March 16th the Annual Catholic Appeal video premiered in every parish in the Brooklyn and Queens Diocese. The Annual Catholic Appeal is a critical funding source for many initiatives of our Diocese.The money raised from the appeal supports parishes, Catholic schools in our communities and outreach ministries for those who are in need. This year Catholic Migration Services was featured in the video and our staff attorney Kenny Minaya informed parishioners about our services and the efficacious impact our work has for immigrants in NYC. (more…)
by changer | Mar 11, 2014 | News
Manuel Castro, immigration campaign organizer, gives a state of play on NYIC’s drivers license campaign in New York State.
On Thursday, March 6, 2014 New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) Campaign Organizer, Manuel Castro informed CMS staff about the current status of immigration policy on the federal and state level. CMS held its monthly staff meeting which concluded with a presentation from Manuel. He clarified the goals of New Yorkers for Real Immigration Reform (NYRIR) and then he highlighted the goals of NYRIR for the upcoming year.
Manuel led his presentation by reminding CMS staff that the Immigration Bill (S.744) has not been voted on by the House of Representatives. As a result, some of the House of Representatives have introduced the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (H.R.15) in a move that they hoped would pressure the majority in the House to move forward on a legalization of a citizenship bill. (more…)
by changer | Mar 6, 2014 | News
Director of Legal Service Robert McCreanor and Immigration Operations Manager Frederik Stefani assist legal permanent residents complete their N-400 forms.
On Saturday March 1st, Catholic Migration Services hosted a Citizenship Application Assistance Workshop at St. Thomas Aquinas in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Staff and volunteers worked with many legal permanent residents to complete their citizenship applications.
CMS is a part of The New Americans Campaign which provides free and much needed access to legally qualified permanent residents to take the critical step to becoming American citizens. The process to obtain citizenship can be confusing and complex. Limited knowledge about the path to citizenship and costly fees can make the process more difficult for legal residents. However, the benefits of having citizenship can really enhance a person’s quality of life. When new Americans gain the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of citizenship they contribute more fully to their communities. (more…)
by changer | Mar 6, 2014 | More News
Students from St. John’s Law School inform QHC members about adjusting immigration status.
On Wednesday February 26th, CMS and its partner organizations, Woodside on the Move and Centro Hispano Cuzcatalan, gathered at St. Sebastian’s parish in Woodside, Queens for their monthly meeting. During the meeting, members received information about filing their taxes from a representative of Community Tax Aid; students from St. John’s Law School gave a presentation on obtaining citizenship and finally, students from CUNY Law School solicited feedback about a housing related policy proposal. (more…)
by changer | Mar 5, 2014 | News
Staff Attorney Mariam Magar informs parishioners about CMS’ legal services.
Catholic Migration Legal Fellow Mariam Magar is springing into her role as an outreach coordinator to the Arabic speaking community within the Diocese of Brooklyn. On Tuesday, February 26th at St. Matthias parish in Ridgewood, Queens, Mariam and CMS Director of Legal Services, Robert McCreanor spoke to members about the wide range of services that CMS offers to immigrant communities in the Brooklyn Diocese. (more…)
by changer | Feb 26, 2014 | News
Outreach Assistant Rebecca Rybaltowski speaks to parishioners about our upcoming Citizenship Workshop during a Spanish language Mass.
On Saturday March 1st, Catholic Migration Services, in partnership with the New Americans Campaign, will be hosting a citizenship workshop at St. Thomas Aquinas parish located in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Outreach Assistant Rebecca Rybaltowski has been reaching out to parishes in the Brooklyn Dioceses all month long in an effort to make parishioners aware of this free and life changing opportunity. Her outreach efforts have succeeded in increasing the number of registered participants. In total, over 1,000 parishioners heard her announcement during Spanish language Masses and even more read about our citizenship workshop in their churches’ bulletins. (more…)
by changer | Feb 24, 2014 | News
Staff Attorney Alice Davis meets with a parishioner.
On Sunday February 23rd CMS staff and attorneys provided onsite legal consultations after two Spanish language masses to parishioners of St. Joan of Arc in Jackson Heights, Queens. Continuing our efforts to inform parishioners in the Brooklyn Dioceses about the increase in the minimum wage, CMS’ Labor Department and support staff encouraged the community to seek wage justice. (more…)
by changer | Feb 4, 2014 | News
Participants of the Faith in New York training receive information about CMS’ citizenship workshop on March 1st.
On Saturday February 1st CMS Outreach Assistant Rebecca Rybaltowski participated in a leadership training hosted by Faith in NY at St. Teresa in Woodside,Queens. The training informed community members about tactics to successfully lobby and advocate for immigration reform. The training also prepared participants for their options if immigration reform were to pass. (more…)
by changer | Feb 4, 2014 | News
Parishioners at Mount Carmel are informed about their labor rights by CMS staff.
On Sunday February 2nd CMS’ Linea Laboral Operator Benjamin Petersen and Immigration Counselor Adam Augustyn spoke to parishioners of St. Margaret Mary parish in Long Island City about the recent increase to minimum wage while simultaneously informing parishioners about their rights in the workplace. Benjamin spoke to parishioners during the mass and urged them to contact CMS if they are experiencing workplace violations. After the mass approximately 100 people gathered in the gymnasium to receive more in depth information about how they could utilize CMS as a resource to combat work place abuses. Benjamin spoke privately to some parishioners about their personal labor related issues and he worked to find possible solutions to each individual’s situation. Immigration Counselor Adam Augustyn was on hand to answer some parishioners immigration related inquires. (more…)
by changer | Feb 3, 2014 | News
LIFT Family Resource Coordinator Shamika Vargas speaks to members about family law .
On Wednesday, January 29th CMS and it’s Housing Coalition partners held their first meeting of 2014. The meeting took place at St. Sebastian Parish in Woodside, Queens where representatives from Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT) and Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA) informed members about family law and non-rent fees respectively. (more…)
