by Natasha B. | Jul 2, 2018 | CMS in the News, Immigration, Legal Services, More News, News
In an effort to raise awareness and speak out against the separation of families at our southern borders, Queens residents peacefully rallied and marched in solidarity of immigrant families while opposing the current administrations policy of separating undocumented children and detaining them in specialized facilities. Organized by City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside), the march started at St. Sebastian’s Roman Catholic Church in Woodside and ended at Noonan Playground in Sunnyside.
Jose Leon, a senior staff attorney with Catholic Migration Services, said he was appalled by the images of children in detention and that the organization he represents will continue fighting for immigrants.
Read the full story via the Times Ledger: Hundreds rally against separation of immigrant children from their families
by Natasha B. | Jul 2, 2018 | Family Resources, Immigration, Legal Services, News, Parish Outreach, Tenant Advocacy, Workers' Rights
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, District Attorney Richard Brown, and the Queens Immigration Task Force held their Annual Immigrant Know Your Rights Week Resource Fair and Legal Clinic on Thursday, June 28th at Queens Center Mall. Over 30 organizations and agencies participated in the resource fair and connected Queens immigrants with information for city services, nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups. A free legal clinic provided confidential consultations in areas of immigration, housing, employment, and domestic violence. Attorneys from Catholic Migration Services were available for legal consultations and an outreach team informed New Yorkers about the organization’s legal services.
Queens residents stop by the Immigrant Resource Fair for a chance to learn about new services, organizations, and agencies.
Queens immigrants chat with the outreach team of Catholic Migration Services to learn about the legal services and know your rights education available through the organization.
by Natasha B. | Jun 27, 2018 | CMS in the News, Family Resources, Immigration, Legal Services, News, Tenant Advocacy, Workers' Rights
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz’s Immigration Task Force is organizing a series of free informational “Know Your Rights” workshops and confidential legal clinics for immigrants from June 25 to June 29 and Catholic Migration Services has partnered with with the Borough President to bring these much needed services to the community. Taking part in a resource fair and one-on-one consultations, immigrants are encouraged to attend, seek resources and legal advice on immigration, housing and workers’ rights.
Read the full article via the Times Ledger: Katz announces inaugural Know Your Rights Week campaign
by Natasha B. | Jun 27, 2018 | CMS in the News, Immigration, Legal Services, News
In continued partnership with the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYPLI), Catholic Migration Services and NYPLI reopened their immigration hotline this month to assist eligible immigrants with their naturalization applications. Eligible green card holders are encouraged to call (212) 225-4400 until July 20 to be screened by a volunteer and attend a naturalization clinic where they can receive free legal help July 28 at LaGuardia Community College — located at 31-10 Thomson Ave. in Long Island City.
Read the full story via the Times Ledger: New York Public Lawyers for Interest to provide free legal services to immigrants in Queens
by Natasha B. | Jun 27, 2018 | CMS in the News, Immigration, Legal Services, News, Tenant Advocacy, Workers' Rights
In a joint effort with Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, Catholic Migration Services will participate in Know Your Rights Week in conjunction with U.S. Congressmember Gregory Meeks, U.S. Congressmember Grace Meng and in partnership with State Senator Michael N. Gianaris, State Senator Jose Peralta, State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, State Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry, City Councilmember Daniel Dromm, and City Councilmember Rory Lancman.
Thursday, June 28th – Immigration Resource Fair
Queens Center Mall, Macy’s Wing at 90-15 Queens Blvd. in Elmhurst
4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Level 3 – Legal Clinic on Housing and Employment
4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Level 2 – Organization Resource Tables
Walk-ins only
Languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin, Bengali, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, & Croatian
Friday, June 29th – One-on-one Consultations for those in Removal Proceedings or Seeking Asylum
Catholic Migration Service, Queens Office at 47-01 Queens Blvd., Suite 203B in Sunnyside
Read the full story via the Queens Chronicle: Free Immigrant Workshops 6/25-29
Click here to download the event flyer as a PDF.
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
