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
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.]
