by Natasha B. | Apr 2, 2020 | Events, Immigration, Legal Services, News, Parish Outreach, Press Releases and Statements, Tenant Advocacy, Workers' Rights
Presione aquí para la versión en Español
Catholic Migration Services is continuing to assist existing and new clients during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak. However, we have limited our office operations to reduce health risks to visitors, staff and volunteers. For the health and safety of all, please do not come to our offices unless instructed to do so by a staff member of Catholic Migration Services.
For Individuals with Scheduled Appointments
If you already have an appointment scheduled to meet with someone at Catholic Migration Services, a staff member from our office will contact you to discuss holding the appointment by phone or rescheduling for a later date.
For Individuals Seeking Legal Assistance for the First Time
If you do not have an appointment scheduled and are seeking assistance, please see below for information about how to obtain immigration, housing or employment legal services.
Immigration
If you are not a client and are calling for immigration help, please call (718) 236-3000 in Brooklyn or (347) 472-3500 in Queens and leave a message. We will return your message and schedule a time for you to speak by phone with one of our attorneys or immigration counselors.
Housing
Please be advised that Housing Court has been closed since Tuesday, March 17th until further notice, except for emergencies such as illegal lockouts and emergency repairs. Please know that all evictions will be put on hold until further notice. If you are a Queens resident and have questions about evictions, rent or repair issues, please call (347) 472-3500 (Catholic Migration Services) or 311 (New York City help line).
For additional housing assistance, please contact:
Andrew Lehrer, Esq. – ext. 1026
Amy Collado, Tenant Organizer – ext. 1021
Ahren Lahvis, Paralegal – ext. 1027
Workers’ Rights
The Coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on workers. While our offices remain physically closed, Catholic Migration Services continues to provide critical legal services to low-wage and immigrant workers. In addition to providing advice and legal representation on general employment matters, such as wage theft, we are now also providing advice to workers directly impacted by this pandemic, including those with workplace health and safety concerns and those who have recently lost their jobs. Our hotline is open! To speak with an attorney, please call (877) 52-LABOR (52267) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ¡Hablamos Español!
Events
The safety of our community is our priority at all times. As a result, Catholic Migration Services has suspended all events and outreach activities including our monthly community meetings at St. Sebastian Parish in Woodside. We encourage vulnerable individuals to exercise caution and stay safe. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this health emergency.
Additional Information
For additional updates, please regularly visit the organization website and social media channels:
www.catholicmigration.org
www.Facebook.com/CMSBQ
www.Twitter.com/CMSBQ
www.Instagram.com/CMSBQ
Download this update as a PDF.
by Natasha B. | Mar 17, 2020 | CMS in the News, Immigration, More News, News
On Monday, March 16th, in response to the coronavirus outbreak, Legal Services NYC and six other organizations, including Catholic Migration Services sent a letter to the Department of Justice requesting the option to reschedule merits hearings in New York immigration courts upon request in the absence of court closures as well as the option to appear via phone or video for those with easy to resolve cases. Today’s letter also asks for a moratorium on all immigration removal orders where the immigrant is unable to show up for health reasons or concerns. On Friday night, the Department of Justice announced the postponement of NYC “master calendar hearings” (or initial hearings) for those not in custody but did not address the merits hearings that follow. On Sunday, immigration prosecutors, judges and attorneys called for the closure of immigration courts across the country.
Read the letter and full story via Latino Rebels: In Absence of Immigration Court Closures, Letter Asks DOJ for Option to Postpone Merits Hearings and Halt Some Removal Orders in Wake of Coronavirus
by Natasha B. | Mar 16, 2020 | Legal Services, News, Tenant Advocacy
On Monday, March 16th at 5:00 p.m., an eviction moratorium went into effect for New York tenants (both residential and commercial) after advocates with the Right to Counsel New York City Coalition and Housing Justice for All petitioned local leaders to call for a moratorium during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis. As a result, Housing Court will be closed as of Tuesday, March 17th until further notice, except for emergencies such as illegal lockouts and emergency repairs.
Read the full story in Curbed NY: New York halts evictions indefinitely due to corona pandemic
by Natasha B. | Mar 16, 2020 | News, Press Releases and Statements
Presione aquí para la versión en Español
Due to the evolving outbreak pertaining to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis, Catholic Migration Services is limiting office operations to reduce health risks to visitors, staff and volunteers. We understand that we assist clients with sensitive matters. Please be assured that our staff is making all necessary accommodations to proactively work with our community in a way that will not harm our clients. For the health and safety of all, please do not come to our offices unless instructed to do so by a staff member of Catholic Migration Services.
For New Clients
Please be advised that Catholic Migration Services has suspended all new client meetings indefinitely. This means that if you are currently scheduled to meet with a staff member for the first time to obtain legal assistance, please do not come to our office for your appointment. A staff member from Catholic Migration Services will contact all new clients about their individual situations and if we cannot assist you over the phone we will try to reschedule your appointment for a later date.
For Existing Clients
If you are an existing client with Catholic Migration Services and have a scheduled appointment, please do not come to our office unless instructed by one of our staff members. In the meantime, please try to call or email the staff member assisting you.
For Individuals Seeking Legal Assistance for the First Time
If you are not a client and are calling to make a new appointment, we are not currently scheduling new appointments. Please be sure to visit our website at www.catholicmigration.org for more information as it becomes available.
For Housing Clients
Please be advised that Housing Court will be closed beginning Tuesday, March 17th until further notice, except for emergencies such as illegal lockouts and emergency repairs. Please know that all evictions will be put on hold until further notice. If you are not a client and are a tenant seeking immediate legal assistance on housing matters, please call 311 for more information.
The safety of our community is our priority at all times. As a result, Catholic Migration Services has suspended all outreach activities including our monthly community meetings in Woodside and has also temporarily closed our Queens office located at 47-01 Queens Boulevard, Suite 203, Sunnyside, NY 11104 until further notice. We encourage vulnerable individuals to exercise caution and stay safe. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this health emergency.
For additional updates, please regularly visit the organization website and social media channels:
www.catholicmigration.org
www.Facebook.com/CMSBQ
www.Twitter.com/CMSBQ
www.Instagram.com/CMSBQ
Download this announcement as a PDF.
by Natasha B. | Jan 28, 2020 | Immigration, Legal Services, News, Press Releases and Statements
On December 20, 2019 the United States Congress passed a new law as part of the Liberian Refugee Immigration Act (LRIFA) in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that allows certain Liberian nationals the opportunity to file for permanent residence in the United States.
The deadline for eligible individuals to apply is December 20, 2020.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Liberian nationals who have been “continuously present” in the United States from November 20, 2014 up to the date of submitting an application, or the spouses, children, unmarried sons or daughters of such a person. Applicants must meet the following requirements in order to apply:
- Be a national of Liberia;
- Be continuously physically present in the United States from November 20, 2014 to the date of the filing of their application (Note: this physical presence requirement does not apply to spouses, children, or unmarried sons or daughters of the principal applicant) ;
- Be eligible for an immigrant visa; and
- Be admissible to the United States for lawful permanent residence or eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of relief.
A licensed immigration attorney or accredited immigration counselor can explain these eligibility requirements and whether you may be eligible to apply.
If you believe you may be eligible to apply for residency under this act, please contact Catholic Migration Services to schedule an appointment in Brooklyn at (718) 236-3000 or in Queens at (347) 472-3500.
Catholic Migration Services will continue to update information in the near future to reflect any further changes. All are encouraged to visit our website for future updates, training sessions and workshops.
Download this immigration update as a PDF.
by Natasha B. | Jan 28, 2020 | Immigration, News, Press Releases and Statements
On Monday, January 27, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court permitted the public charge rule to go into effect, while litigation over the rule continues. This means the public charge rule is in effect, for now, in New York and most places nationwide.
Please check back for more details and to learn how this may apply to you and your family.
by changer | Jan 23, 2020 | Asylum and Humanitarian Relief, Deportation Defense, Family Reunification
We are increasing our efforts to bring you more news and information about a variety of topics related to Immigration. Check back soon for new posts on this topic.
by Natasha B. | Dec 18, 2019 | CMS in the News, Immigration, News
Faithful from the Diocese of Brooklyn gather at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph for the Annual Diocesan Migration Day Mass. Photo: The Tablet
Earlier this month Catholic Migration Services celebrated the Annual Diocesan Migration Day Mass celebrating the diversity of the Diocese of Immigrants. Held at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights, the multilingual celebration represented over 30 ethnic ministries. For highlights of the event, please see a list of media coverage below
Media Coverage:
Read the full story in The Tablet: Diocese’s Diversity Represented at Migration Day Mass, December 10, 2019
See Current’s NET TV’s news segment: Diocesan Migration Day Mass Celebrates Diversity in Brooklyn and Queens, December 10, 2019
by Natasha B. | Dec 18, 2019 | Citizenship, CMS in the News, More News, News
Catholic Migration Services recently partnered with New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI), Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, and Goldman Sachs to host a naturalization clinic where green card holders received free legal services to help them work toward U.S. citizenship. The free workshop was held at LaGuaradia Community College in Long Island City and during the workshop, 36 lawful permanent residents began their journey to U.S. citizenship. Our staff and volunteers were able to help save applicants thousands of dollars on application fees. “Volunteers helped to complete 9 fee waivers, totaling a savings of $6,525. This is an amazing feat, especially given the circumstances!” said Chloe Moore, Naturalization Coordinator with Catholic Migration Services. For highlights of the event, please see a list of media coverage below:
Media Coverage:
Read the full story in El Diario: ¿Por qué es importante aplicar lo antes posible por la ciudadanía?, December 8, 2019
Read the full story in El Diario: Acude a talleres gratis en Nueva York sobre cómo aplicar por “green card” y ciudadanía ante USCIS, December 5, 2019
by Natasha B. | Nov 18, 2019 | CMS in the News, Immigration, Legal Services, More News, News
Camilo and Jose Miranda at the Office of Catholic Migration Services. Photo: Immigrant Justice Corps
José Miranda, an Immigrant Justice Corps (IJC) second-year fellow was assigned to Catholic Migration Services during the Fall of 2018. Now a Staff Attorney for the Removal Defense Project with the Immigration Program, José was recently profiled by IJC and recalled his first client experience at Catholic Migration Services, a Nicaguaran family in need of immigration assistance assigned to the “FAMU” (family unit) docket.
Camilo and his family arrived at the U.S. southern border in August of 2018 seeking safety and protection after being targeted by the Frente Sandinista Liberación Nacional (FSLN) who wanted to use their home as a shelter for confrontations with the anti-Sandinista student protesters and as a place to store weapons. The family refused and death threats against their lives steadily increased. After a near kidnapping of their son, the family fled Nicaragua and journeyed to the US. border seeking asylum.
After a dangerous trip, they soon reached the U.S. where Camilo, his wife, and two children were detained in a privately-run detention center in Texas for six days and later released after passing their credible fear hearing. On their way to New York, they sought assistance from Catholic Migration Services where they met José. Through the representation of Catholic Migration Services, José advocated on behalf of Camilo and his family during an expedited case in immigration court which led to a successful outcome for our client.
Read the full write-up by Immigrant Justice Corps (IJC): “You can say happy but the word isn’t enough.”
