by Natasha B. | Jun 25, 2018 | CMS in the News, Immigration, Legal Services, News, Parish Outreach
During an immigration forum on Tuesday, June 19th at St. Leo’s in Corona, Congressman Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Congressman Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL), and Fr. Patrick J. Keating, Esq., Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Migration Services spoke out against the human rights violations at our southern border.
Fr. Patrick J. Keating, Esq., Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Migration Services said, “It is inhumane to rip children from their parents’ arms; to punish innocent children, just to deter immigration. We have all seen the images and heard the audio of poor, defenseless children crying for their parents. There has to be a more just way of dealing with the current immigration crisis. The administration has the authority to stop this immediately so that vulnerable children do not suffer any more psychological trauma. Surely, all people of good will can agree, that separating innocent children from their parents is not the answer.”
See Current’s NET TV’s news segment: Separation of Families Outrages Catholics at Immigration Forum
by Natasha B. | Jun 25, 2018 | Immigration, News
In response to the humanitarian crisis unraveling at our southern border, the Most Rev. Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn shared some thoughts on the separation of families, the horrors and “psychological damage being perpetrated on these innocent children” while also highlighting two bills that would include “poison pills”. Bishop DiMarzio brings attention to both pieces of legislation that “use undocumented youth as bait”.
To read the full op-ed in the New York Daily News, An unholy separation policy: Stop pulling families apart now, says the Bishop of Brooklyn.
by Natasha B. | May 30, 2018 | Immigration, Legal Services, News
On Sunday, May 20th, Catholic Migration Services partnered with Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights (NMCRI) for New York’s largest Citizenship Drive ever. Organized by NMCRI, hundreds of immigrant New Yorkers arrived at the Bronx Zoo for an opportunity to complete citizenship applications free of charge. Community partners included: NALEO Educational Fund, CUNY Citizenship Now!, Chhaya CDC, Dominicanos USA, GMHC, New York Cares, International Rescue Committee, New-York Historical Society, the New York State Office for New Americans, the New York State Liberty Defense Project, and the New York Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs; as well as the media outlets who maintain our community informed and helped us spread the word about this historic event: Telemundo, Univision, NY1, NY1 Noticias, El Diario; and many others.
[Photos: Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights, New York State Office of New Americans and New York Cares.]
by Natasha B. | May 1, 2018 | Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Immigration, Legal Services, News, Press Releases and Statements, Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
May 1, 2018
Presione aquí para la versión en Español
Recent Updates to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
On April 24, 2018 a Judge for the Federal District Court of the District of Columbia ruled that the administration’s decision to terminate Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was based on “unexplained grounds” and therefore concluded that the DACA program must stay in place and the USCIS must accept new applications. However, the Judge’s decision is on hold for 90 days to give the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) time to better explain its reasoning for cancelling DACA.
What this mean for DACA recipients
If the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is not able to come up with a sufficient reason for why they cancelled DACA, the program will continue and DHS will be forced to accept new DACA applications.
Recent Updates to Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
On April 26, 2018 the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that the termination of TPS for Nepal will be delayed for 12 months and the program will terminate on June 24, 2019. Nepali citizens with TPS will be required to re-register for TPS and work authorization but should not do so until the re-registration period is announced in the Federal Registrar.
How to Contact Us:
If you are a DACA or TPS recipient and have any questions or concerns, please call Catholic Migration Services in Brooklyn at (718) 236-3000 or in Queens at (347) 472-3500 between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday. For additional information, visit our website at www.catholicmigration.org and follow us on social media via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @CMSBQ.
Download this update as a PDF.
by Natasha B. | Apr 24, 2018 | CMS in the News, Immigration, Legal Services, News
On Saturday, April 21st Catholic Migration Services and New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) teamed up with volunteer lawyers from law firms throughout the City for a day long naturalization workshop in Brooklyn. Attorneys assisted eligible green card holders with the application process at no cost, making the process accessible for low-income New Yorkers. The path to citizenship brings with it numerous benefits like the opportunity to vote, petition for family members, and receive the ultimate relief from deportation.
See News 12 Brooklyn’s coverage of the workshop: Residents get closer to U.S. citizenship during free clinic
by Natasha B. | Apr 13, 2018 | CMS in the News, Immigration, Legal Services, News, Parish Outreach
Once in fear of closing its doors, St. Finbar in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn has seen a revival in the life of their parish thanks to the devout faith of new Guatemalan immigrants. The community has dedicated their time and service to the place of worship they now call home and last year, amidst the uncertainties of immigration policies, leaders at St. Finbar stood by them regardless of their immigration status. Referring parishioners to Catholic Migration Services, the pastor, Fr. Gelfant invited Catholic Migration to host a Know-Your-Rights presentation for his community. The presentation was well attended and those present left reassured of their rights.
Read the full story via National Catholic Reporter: Italian-American church in Brooklyn’s ‘Little Guatemala’ gets new lease on life
