by Natasha B. | Feb 28, 2023 | CMS in the News, News
February 27, 2023
By Carlotta Mohamed
A group of tenants residing in a Jackson Heights building rallied outside of the Queens Civil Court in Jamaica on Monday, Feb. 27, after taking on their landlord in a group repairs case after years of living in alleged unacceptable conditions. (Photo: Right to Counsel Coalition)
A group of tenants residing in a Jackson Heights building rallied outside of the Queens Civil Court in Jamaica on Monday, Feb. 27, after taking on their landlord in a group repairs case after years of living in alleged unacceptable conditions. They also highlighted the importance of passing legislation that will guarantee representation for tenants in courts across New York State.
The tenants, who are predominantly low-income people and Latino immigrants from Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras, are receiving support from the The Right to Counsel NYC Coalition (RTCNYC) and Catholic Migration Services’ legal and organizing teams in their case.
In Monday’s hearing, the tenants of the building, located at 94-16 34th Rd., and the landlord agreed on a settlement that will allow the city Housing Preservation Department (HPD) to inspect the building. The tenants agreed to grant access to the landlord to make the repairs. The next court date will be held on Monday, April 3, when any outstanding violations will be reviewed.
Following the court hearing, Tenant Association Leader Wanda Martinez said she was under duress to leave her apartment because of safety issues. She even spoke about one tenant who self-evicted due to the landlord’s failure to maintain secure premises.
Prior to being connected with Catholic Migration Services, Martinez said she felt afraid to stand up to her landlord. She wasn’t fully aware of her rights as a tenant.
“Personally, Sarah Hainbach, staff attorney at Catholic Migration Services, made all the difference,” Martinez said. “She informed us of our rights and removed fear from the equation, so we felt comfortable standing up for our wellbeing.”
In their case against the landlord, the tenants say the building continues to be severely undermaintained, even though the tenants have been paying rent. Over the years, there have been numerous power outages in individual units. Tearing up the walls to work on the wiring left dust flying around apartments for over a year, leading multiple tenants to develop asthma and other health complications. There have also been problems with the elevator, rodents, and heat.
On Feb. 23, one tenant was without heat for over 11 hours, according to their Heat Seek device. For some of the tenants in the building, it has been nearly impossible to reach their super for maintenance or cleaning needs, and the tenants have resorted to maintaining the building themselves.
There have also been security issues that the landlord has failed to address. There have been numerous reports of people who don’t live in the building (and weren’t invited as guests) getting inside the building, and the mailboxes, which were once broken into, have still not been repaired.
“They’re paying the rent. They’re upholding their end of the bargain, and all they want is safe living conditions,” said Bryan Fotino, an organizer with Catholic Migration Services.
The tenants of 94-16 34th Rd. are not alone in facing unacceptable living conditions.
In 2021, New Yorkers in approximately 8% of privately owned rental units in New York City suffered under serious housing code violations–HPD’s “class C” violations that are “immediately hazardous” and violate a tenant’s legal right to safe and livable conditions.
Landlords, code enforcement, city agencies and politicians allow these conditions to persist along racial lines: more than twice as many Black and Latinx New Yorkers live in units with three or more maintenance deficiencies than Asian or white New Yorkers, according to the Equity NYC Report.
The Jackson Heights tenants uplifted their case to highlight the importance of passing legislation, Statewide Right to Counsel (A1493-Joyner/S2721-May), that will address the imbalance of power between landlords and tenants in New York State’s housing courts by establishing the Right to Counsel for all New Yorkers in all types of cases that could result in eviction–including affirmative repairs cases.
The legislation was introduced by Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner (D-Bronx) and Senator Rachel May (D-Syracuse).
Under the proposed Statewide Right To Counsel bill, tenants across New York State would have the right to an attorney if their landlord violates their right to a liveable home. Many tenants, often uncounted in official eviction statistics, self-evict each year because of threats to their health and safety they experience at home. Without an attorney, a tenant’s legal right to seek justice in these cases is unattainable.
Read the original story in The Jackson Heights Post: ‘Housing is a human right’: Jackson Heights tenants rally against landlord for alleged poor living conditions and management negligence
by Natasha B. | Jan 28, 2023 | Immigration, News, Press Releases and Statements, Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
UPDATE AS OF: Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Peze la pou tradui nan Kreyol Ayisyen
What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
- Temporary Protected Status is an immigration status available to some people from countries the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated as “unsafe to return to” for various reasons, such as civil war, political unrest, natural disaster, etc.
- TPS is a temporary immigration status that may be renewed for as long as the TPS designation is in place. A TPS designation may be made for 6, 12 or 18 months at a time. Nationals of the country designated for TPS must register during that time.
- At least 60 days before the expiration of the TPS designation, DHS must decide whether to extend or terminate the designation, based on conditions in that particular country. If TPS is extended, those who were granted TPS must re-register under that extension. Some countries have been designated for TPS for decades.
- DHS may re-designate a country for TPS based on new events that make that country unsafe to return to.
- If you are granted TPS, you:
- May not be deported from the United States;
- Can obtain an employment authorization card and a Social Security number;
- Can obtain permission to travel abroad and return to the United States.
- To be eligible for TPS, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a national of the designated country (or a person without nationality who last habitually resided in that country);
- Have been continuously physically present in the United States since a specified date;
- Have continuously maintained a residence in the United States since a specified date;
- File during the initial registration or re-registration period.
Has Haiti been designated for TPS?
- Haiti was originally designated for TPS after the January 10, 2010 earthquake and redesignated on May 19, 2011. Haitian nationals who were continuously physically present in the United States since January 12, 2011 were eligible to apply. This original designation and redesignation have been extended for years. On November 10, 2022, it was announced that Haitians granted TPS under the original designation and the May 19, 2011 redesignation, and who have timely re-registered under every subsequent extension, will have their TPS status automatically extended through June 30, 2024.
- Haiti was redesignated for TPS on August 3, 2021 for 18 months, until February 3, 2023. Haitian nationals who have been continuously residing in the United States since July 29, 2021 are eligible to apply and must do so before February 3, 2023. On December 5, 2022, DHS announced that this designation will be extended for 18 months, until August 3, 2024. Those granted TPS under the 2021 designation must re-register from January 26 to March 27, 2023 in order to maintain TPS and work authorization.
- On December 5, 2022, DHS also announced that Haiti will be redesignated for TPS for 18 months, until August 3, 2024. Haitian nationals who have been continuously residing in the United States since November 6, 2022 are eligible to apply from January 26, 2023 through August 3, 2024.
When can I apply for TPS?
- If you have been granted TPS status under the 2011 designation and have maintained that status, you do not have to re-register for TPS because it has been automatically extended through June 30, 2024. However, as that designation was sought to be terminated by the Trump Administration and that termination is being litigated in court, you may want to register under the 2021 or the 2022 redesignations, which are not subject to litigation. To register under the 2021 redesignation, you must prove that you have been continuously residing in the United States since July 29, 2021 and you must apply before February 3, 2023. To register under the 2022 redesignation, you must prove that you have been continuously residing in the United States since November 6, 2022 and you must apply between January 26, 2023 and August 3, 2024.
- If you have been granted TPS under the 2021 redesignation, you will have to re-register for TPS during a 60 day period, from January 26 through March 27, 2023 in order to extend your TPS and work permit to August 3, 2024.
- Work permits with the expiration date of February 3, 2023 are automatically extended through February 3, 2024.
- If your initial application for TPS under the 2021 redesignation is still pending on February 3, 2023, you do not need to file another application to re-register.
- If you have continuously resided in the United States since November 6, 2022, you can register for TPS from January 26, 2023 until August 3, 2024 under the 2022 redesignation.
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.
Download this update as a PDF: Immigration Update Pertaining to Haiti and Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
About Catholic Migration Services: For over 50 years, Catholic Migration Services, a not-for-profit legal services provider affiliated with Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, has been providing quality legal services to low-income individuals in New York City in the areas of immigration, housing, and employment laws. For more information, please visit www.catholicmigration.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @CMSBQ.
by Natasha B. | Jan 5, 2023 | Immigration, News, Press Releases and Statements, Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
UPDATE AS OF: Monday, January 1, 2023
What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
- Temporary Protected Status is an immigration status available to some people from countries the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated as “unsafe to return to” for various reasons, such as civil war, political unrest, natural disaster, etc.
- TPS is a temporary immigration status that may be renewed for as long as the TPS designation is in place. A TPS designation may be made for 6, 12 or 18 months at a time. Nationals of the country designated for TPS must register during that time.
- At least 60 days before the expiration of the TPS designation, DHS must decide whether to extend or terminate the designation, based on conditions in that particular country. If TPS is extended, those who were granted TPS must re-register under that extension. Some countries have been designated for TPS for decades.
- DHS may re-designate a country for TPS based on new events that make that country unsafe to return to.
- If you are granted TPS, you:
- May not be deported from the United States;
- Can obtain an employment authorization card and a Social Security number;
- Can obtain permission to travel abroad and return to the United States.
- To be eligible for TPS, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a national of the designated country (or a person without nationality who last habitually resided in that country);
- Have been continuously physically present in the United States since a specified date;
- Have continuously maintained a residence in the United States since a specified date;
- File during the initial registration or re-registration period.
Has Haiti been designated for TPS?
- Haiti was originally designated for TPS after the January 10, 2010 earthquake and redesignated on May 19, 2011. Haitian nationals who were continuously physically present in the United States since January 12, 2011 were eligible to apply. This original designation and redesignation have been extended for years. On November 10, 2022, it was announced that Haitians granted TPS under the original designation and the May 19, 2011 redesignation, and who have timely re-registered under every subsequent extension, will have their TPS status automatically extended through June 30, 2024.
- Haiti was redesignated for TPS on August 3, 2021 for 18 months, until February 3, 2023. Haitian nationals who have been continuously residing in the United States since July 29, 2021 are eligible to apply and must do so before February 3, 2023. On December 5, 2022, DHS announced that this designation will be extended for 18 months, until August 3, 2024. The re-registration period has not been announced yet.
- On December 5, 2022, DHS also announced that Haiti will be redesignated for TPS for 18 months, until August 3, 2024. Haitian nationals who have been continuously residing in the United States since November 6, 2022 are eligible to apply and must do so before August 3, 2024.
When can I apply for TPS?
- If you have been granted TPS status under the 2011 designation and have maintained that status, you do not have to re-register for TPS because it has been automatically extended through June 30, 2024. However, as that designation was sought to be terminated by the Trump Administration and that termination is being litigated in court, you may want to register under the 2021 or the 2022 redesignations, which are not subject to litigation. To register under the 2021 redesignation, you must prove that you have been continuously residing in the United States since July 29, 2021 and you must apply before February 3, 2023. To register under the 2022 redesignation, you must prove that you have been continuously residing in the United States since November 6, 2022 and you must apply before August 3, 2024 – this registration process has not started yet.
- If you have been granted TPS under the 2021 redesignation, you will have to re-register under the extension announced on December 5, 2022. That re-registration period has not started yet.
- If you have NOT been granted TPS under previous designations and you have continuously resided in the United states since November 6, 2022, you can register when the registration period is announced and until August 3, 2024. That registration period has not started yet.
- To confirm the start of these registration and re-registration processes, 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.
Download this update as a PDF: Immigration Update Pertaining to Haiti and Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
About Catholic Migration Services: For over 50 years, Catholic Migration Services, a not-for-profit legal services provider affiliated with Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, has been providing quality legal services to low-income individuals in New York City in the areas of immigration, housing, and employment laws. For more information, please visit www.catholicmigration.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @CMSBQ.
by Natasha B. | Nov 23, 2022 | News, Workers' Rights
On Tuesday, November 22, 2022, Catholic Migration Services joined Councilmember Shekar Krishan, advocates at NICE: New Immigrant Community Empowerment, Make the Road New York, TakeRoot Justice and allies during a press conference in front of the City Hall steps to celebrate continuing funding for a crucial initiative for defending the rights of low-wage workers. Advocates, workers, and Council Members urged that the program, the Low-Wage Worker Support (LWWS), be baselined in the upcoming budget.
In Fiscal Year 2022, through this vital program, legal service providers and community organizations advised and represented workers in over 2,300 cases to recoup unpaid wages and obtained more than $3 million in settlements and judgments for workers.
LWWS is the only dedicated city funding stream to provide free employment-related legal services to low-wage workers across NYC. Through LWWS, workers are connected to advocacy and able to access individualized legal advice and full legal representation in a range of proceedings, including pre-litigation settlement negotiations, unemployment insurance hearings, and individual and group cases before state and federal courts and administrative agencies.
Every year, more than $1 billion in wages are stolen from low-wage workers in New York City.
At the press conference, directly impacted workers shared their personal stories facing stolen wages, unsafe working conditions, and workplace rights’ violations.
Anthony Damelio, Skadden Fellow and Staff Attorney and David Colodny, Senior Counsel with the Employment Unit at Catholic Migration Services pose on the steps of City Hall after a press conference to defend the rights of low-wage workers on Tuesday, November 22, 2022.
Councilmember Shekar Krishan, advocates at Catholic Migration Services, NICE: New Immigrant Community Empowerment, Make the Road New York, TakeRoot Justice and allies in front of the City Hall steps during a press conference on Tuesday, November 22, 2022.
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
by Natasha B. | Aug 31, 2022 | CMS in the News, News
Photo: Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens
August 29, 2022
By Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens
Yesterday, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, Catholic Migration Services, and the St. Charles Borromeo Parishioner volunteers welcomed over 140 migrants and asylum seekers at an information session and lunch at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Downtown Brooklyn. Since July, over 220 asylum seekers have come to Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Community Outreach Center in Brooklyn seeking assistance. To welcome them, provide support, and help them settle in further, we teamed up with Catholic Migration Services for a Spanish-language informational session that addressed deportation, ICE, change of address and applying for Asylee status.
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens also provided small produce boxes with fresh fruit, loaves of bread, toiletry/food bags, COVID test kits, socks, masks and other necessities. The St. Charles Borromeo volunteers donated and served lunch for the attendees. Additional Catholic Charities social service staff were in attendance with information and resources.
Media Coverage:
For over 124 years, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, through its social services arm, Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services, Inc., has been providing quality social services to the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens and currently offers 160-plus programs and services for children, youth, adults, older adults, and those struggling with mental illness. Since 1975, Catholic Charities Progress of Peoples Development Corporation, the affordable housing developer of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, has been transforming vacant land and buildings into affordable housing units and transforming the lives of individuals and families, and completed more than 4,450 units with supportive services for seniors, families, veterans and the formerly homeless. Since the pandemic began, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has provided much-needed food packages and services at 56 Catholic Charities parish-based food pantries and has distributed over $8.5 million in food assistance. Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens continues to deliver crucial mental health counseling, housing services, family services and early childhood education and COVID vaccines at a variety of locations. For more information, please visit www.ccbq.org.
