naturalization Archives - Catholic Migration Services

Lawyers’ group helps ease path to citizenship for low-income New Yorkers with interest-free loans

by Natasha B. | Jul 15, 2021 | Citizenship, Immigration, naturalization, News

Jose M. Leon, a supervising attorney with the Naturalization Program in the Immigration Unit at Catholic Migration Services was recently interviewed by the American Bar Association Journal about the Citizenship Loan Program, a partnership with New York Lawyers for Public Interest (NYPLI) and Hebrew Free Loan Society. The new initiative offers interest-free loans to permanent residents who live in one of New York City’s five boroughs, Westchester or Long Island.

Jose says most of his clients are low income. Whenever he gets a new client, he determines if they are eligible for a fee waiver. If they are not, he tells them about the loan program. “I don’t think these people would be able to become U.S. citizens unless a program like this existed,” Leon says.

Read the full story in the ABA Journal: Lawyers’ group helps ease path to citizenship for low-income New Yorkers with interest-free loans

The Citizenship Loan Program is a collaboration between the Hebrew Free Loan Society, Catholic Migration Services, and New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. Lean more here.

Virtual Immigration Town Hall

by changer | May 12, 2020 | Asylum and Humanitarian Relief, Citizenship, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Deportation Defense, Family Reunification, Immigration, Legal Services, naturalization, News, Tenant Advocacy, Workers' Rights

Last week Catholic Migration Services and New York Lawyers for the Public Interest hosted a Virtual Immigration Town Hall via Facebook Live. Panelists discussed how COVID-19 is impacting tenants and workers, shared helpful resources with the immigrant community during this difficult time, and took questions from the audience. If you missed it, view the video below.

*The Virtual Immigration Town Hall begins at 00:09:00

Join Catholic Migration Services and New York Lawyers for the Public Interest for an Virtual Immigration Town Hall on…

Posted by Catholic Migration Services on Thursday, May 7, 2020

Naturalization Workshop Helps New Yorkers Get Closer to Citizenship

by Natasha B. | Sep 4, 2019 | Citizenship, Immigration, Legal Services, More News, naturalization, News

Last month Catholic Migration Services partnered with the New Americans Program at the Queens Public Library (QPL) for a free naturalization workshop in Corona. The workshop was open to eligible legal permanent residents interested in applying for citizenship. Pro bono attorneys, paralegals, and volunteers assisted 23 New Yorkers at the Corona Branch.

To be eligible for future naturalization workshops, legal permanent residents are required to bring the following documents:

Green card and all passports
Copy of most recent IRS tax return
Marriage certificate or divorce papers (if applicable)
Certified court dispositions and MTA dispositions (if applicable)

In addition, if legal permanent residents are eligible for a full or partial fee waiver, individuals will need to provide proof of the benefit that you or an immediate family member (spouse or child) are currently receiving. The appropriate evidence must be in the form of a letter, notice, or other official document. If such eligibility applies, legal permanent residents are required to bring the following documents:

SNAP (Food Stamp) Award Letter
SSI Award Letter
Medicaid Award Letter

The July quarterly naturalization workshop with the Queens Public Library is in collaboration with The New Americans Campaign and Citizenship Works.

Queens Naturalization Workshop Assists Green Card Holders on the Road to Citizenship

by Natasha B. | Jun 25, 2019 | Citizenship, CMS in the News, Events, Immigration, Legal Services, naturalization, News

On Saturday, June 22nd immigrant rights advocates from Catholic Migration Services, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest and legal partners with Cleary Gottlieb, Fried Frank and Goldman Sachs offered free one-on-one guidance on naturalization applications at LaGuardia Community College. “In one day, we were able to assist over 50 lawful permanent residents begin their journey to U.S. citizenship. We couldn’t do this important work without all of your commitment to the immigrant community and graciously offering your time on a Saturday” said Chloe Moore, naturalization counselor with Catholic Migration Services.

In addition to having a great turnout, immigrant rights advocates were able to save applicants thousands of dollars on application fees. Volunteers helped to complete 36 full and partial fee waivers, totaling a savings of $23,265.

Media Coverage:

Naturalization Clinic in Queens, aired June 22nd – Visiones, WNBC-TV

Free Naturalization Clinic, aired June 22nd – NBC Today, WNBC-TV

Ofrecen taller gratuito sobre ciudadanía para todos los residentes del área triestatal, aired June 13th – Edicion Digital Nueva York, WXTV Univision 41

[Photos: Catholic Migration Services]

Ofrecen taller gratuito sobre ciudadanía para todos los residentes del área triestatal

by Natasha B. | Jun 14, 2019 | Citizenship, CMS in the News, Immigration, Legal Services, naturalization, News

José León, abogado de inmigración con Catholic Migration Services y Yleana Roman abogada con New York Lawyers for the Public Interest fueron entrevistados en Edición Digital Nueva York por medio de Univision para promover la próxima taller de naturalización en Long Island City, Queens.

Taller de Naturalización
Cuando: Sabado, 22 de Junio de 2019 desde la 9:00 a.m. hasta la 5:00 p.m.
Donde: LaGuardia Community College ubicada en 31-10 Thomson Avenue, E Atrium, Long Island City, NY 11101
Nota: Para registrarse para este taller, favor de llamar (212) 225-4400 o envia un mensaje de texto a (718) 866-3687.

Vea la entrevista en Edicion Digital Nueva York por medio de Univision: Ofrecen taller gratuito sobre ciudadanía para todos los residentes del área triestatal

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP Honored at 5th Annual Sunset Reception

by Natasha B. | Jun 14, 2019 | Events, Immigration, Legal Services, naturalization, News, Tenant Advocacy, Workers' Rights

On Thursday, June 13, at the 5th Annual Sunset Reception in Brooklyn, Catholic Migration Services honored Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, recipient of the 2019 Public Service Award for outstanding pro bono work to help New York’s immigrants become U.S. citizens.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has offered invaluable support to the naturalization efforts of Catholic Migration Services, providing attorneys, paralegals, volunteers, and interns for naturalization workshops.

“With their support, Catholic Migration Services has been able to significantly increase the amount of Legal Permanent Residents we are able to serve. Last year the naturalization team assisted over 600 LPRs”, said Chloe Moore, Naturalization Coordinator. “Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has helped field over 700 hotline calls, getting in touch with hotline callers, completing a basic preliminary screening for naturalization, and then scheduling them for intake at the offices in Brooklyn and Queens.”

Thank you for supporting the 5th Annual Sunset Reception. It was a successful event that, like in past years have brought together the New York and Brooklyn law communities to help raise funds to enable Catholic Migration Services to carry out its mission of “welcoming the stranger in our midst.” A great opportunity to mix, mingle, and network with a community dedicated to social justice, we hope you will continue to support our work in underserved immigrant communities in Brooklyn and Queens.