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 17, 2018 | Legal Services, News, Parish Outreach, Tenant Advocacy
Right to counsel coalition members, tenants, and community leaders gathered for town hall forum on legislation signed into law August 2017.
On Thursday, April 12th right to counsel coalition members, tenants, and community leaders gathered for a Town Hall Forum in the gymnasium of St. Bartholomew Catholic Academy in Elmhurst, New York to address legislation signed into law on August 11, 2017. Right to Counsel mandates universal access to legal representation for low-income tenants in New York City and is the first City in the nation to establish this type of legislation.
Coalition members, tenants, and community leaders highlighted the history of Intro 214 and its amendments originally introduced in March of 2014 by Council Members Mark Levine and Vanessa Gibson. Approximately 150 Queens tenants packed the school gymnasium to learn why the Right to Counsel is so important, the eligibility requirements, how to find an attorney, which Queens zip codes will begin implementing RTC, and how to build tenant power.
Queens tenants raise their hands during interactive forum.
After learning that 11433, 11434, and 11373 are the first Queens zip codes to implement RTC, tenants later broke out into small groups facilitated by attorneys and organizers for an opportunity to ask questions, discuss ways to protect themselves and their neighbors, and to complete commitment cards asking tenants to start taking action and ownership of this new tool.
Intro 214-B, the final bill that passed last year, ensures at the end of 5 years, all income eligible tenants will be ensured an attorney when fighting their eviction in housing court. Tenants who are over income, have the right to a consultation with an attorney. The bill also provides for NYCHA tenants whose cases happen in administrative hearings, to have representation as well.
The Right to Counsel NYC Coalition is made up of tenant organizing groups, tenant advocates, homeless advocates, senior advocates, disability advocates, academics, legal services organizations and more! We led the campaign that resulted in the passage of Local Law 136, which ensures that low-income tenants are represented in eviction cases by attorneys when they defend their rights and their homes. The Coalition is actively organizing and advocating while this law is being phased in.
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
by Natasha B. | Mar 22, 2018 | Immigration, Legal Services, Press Releases and Statements
March 22, 2018
Presione aquí para la versión en Español
New U.S. Government Policy Affecting Family-Based Petitions:
In January of this year the U.S. Department of State revised its “public charge” policy in the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) also known as “State Department Instructions” on “public charge.” The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is also proposing changes to the federal government’s longstanding public charge policy.
Under the previous rules, intending immigrants had to prove that they would not become a “public charge” in the U.S. and they would be financially supported by a sponsor if needed. In order to prove this, the intending immigrant needed to submit a sworn statement from the sponsor or co-sponsor who earned enough income to prove that he or she could support the intending immigrant if necessary.
Under the new rules that were implemented at the end of January, the officer at the embassy can now consider a wide range of factors such as a family member’s or sponsor’s use of public benefits. Therefore, if you or your family member are receiving benefits from the Supplemental Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP or food stamps it does not mean that you are banned from sponsoring your relatives. However, these factors will be considered along with several other items, which include the intending immigrant’s age, health, and employment history.
Catholic Migration Services would like to take this opportunity to reiterate this does not mean that you should stop receiving any benefits that you currently need for your family.
It is still too early to know how this policy change is being applied in the different consulates abroad. As a result, we will continue to do our best to keep the community informed on policy changes as we have done in the past. If you have any questions about your particular circumstance please call our office.
How to Contact Us:
If you 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 and follow us on social media via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @CMSBQ.
Download this update as a PDF.
