by Natasha B. | Jan 19, 2018 | Immigration, Legal Services, News, Press Releases and Statements, Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
January 19, 2018
Presione aquí para la versión en Español
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Honduras for 6 months, from January 6, 2018 to July 5, 2018. Please read the following for information pertaining to this extension.
Catholic Migration Services urges anyone who receives TPS for Honduras to call our office and schedule an appointment for a free legal consultation.
What are the important deadlines?
- If you are a current Honduran TPS holder you must timely re-register to maintain TPS throughout the current extension period. Re-registration for Honduran TPS runs from December 15, 2017 through February 13, 2018.
- If you do not re-register during this time period, you will not be in lawful status and will effectively abandon your TPS.
Do I need to apply for a new Employment Authorization Document (work permit)?
- The Department of Homeland Security has automatically extended the validity of work permits expiring on January 5, 2018 for 180 days, through July 4, 2018.
- If you want to obtain a new work permit with a July 5, 2018 expiration date written on the face of the card, you must also apply for an Employment Authorization Document with the USCIS and pay for the new document.
Do I need to pay any fees?
- If you are 14 years or older, you must submit an $85 biometrics fee with your re-registration;
- If you are unable to pay the biometrics fee, you may submit a request for a fee waiver;
- You do not need to pay a filing fee for renewing your TPS if you are under 14 years old;
- If you wish to receive a new work permit with a July 5, 2018 expiration date on the face of the card, you must pay the $410 Employment Authorization Document fee;
- All forms and payments can be filed together.
To be screened for other possible forms of immigration relief or if you have any questions, please contact Catholic Migration Services at 718-236-3000.
Download this update as a PDF.
by Natasha B. | Jan 19, 2018 | Immigration, Legal Services, News, Press Releases and Statements, Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
January 19, 2018
Presione aquí para la versión en Español
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador. TPS for Salvadoran recipients will expire on September 9, 2019. Please read the following for information pertaining to the re-registration process.
Catholic Migration Services urges anyone who receives TPS for El Salvador to call our office and schedule an appointment for a free legal consultation.
What are the important deadlines?
- If you are a current Salvadoran TPS holder you must timely re-register to maintain TPS throughout the current extension period. Re-registration for Salvadoran TPS runs from January 18, 2018 through March 19, 2018.
- If you do not re-register during this time period, you will not be in lawful status and will effectively abandon your TPS.
Do I need to apply for a new Employment Authorization Document (work permit)?
- Current Salvadoran TPS holders who have an Employment Authorization Document with an expiration date of March 9, 2018 will receive an automatic extension of their work permit for 180 days (valid through September 5, 2018).
- If you want to obtain a new work permit with a September 9, 2019 expiration date written on the face of the card, you must also apply for an Employment Authorization Document with the USCIS and pay for the new document.
Do I need to pay any fees?
- If you are 14 years or older, you must submit an $85 biometrics fee with your re-registration;
- If you are unable to pay the biometrics fee, you may submit a request for a fee waiver;
- You do not need to pay a filing fee for renewing your TPS if you are under 14 years old;
- If you wish to receive a new work permit with a September 9, 2019 expiration date on the face of the card, you must pay the $410 Employment Authorization Document fee;
- All forms and payments can be filed together.
To be screened for other possible forms of immigration relief or if you have any questions, please contact Catholic Migration Services at 718-236-3000.
Download this update as a PDF.
by Natasha B. | Jan 18, 2018 | Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Immigration, Legal Services, News, Press Releases and Statements
January 15, 2018
Presione aquí para la versión en Español
Due to a federal court order issued on January 9, 2018, USCIS has resumed accepting renewal applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Until further notice, individuals previously granted DACA may request a renewal of their status and employment authorization. USCIS is not accepting applications from those who have never before received DACA.
What this announcement means:
If you previously received DACA and your DACA expired on or after September 5, 2016, you may file a renewal request. Renewal requests can be made up to 180 days (6 months) before your work permit expires.
If your DACA expired before September 5, 2016, or it was terminated at any time, you may file a new initial request now. However, if you have never received DACA in the past, you are not allowed to file an initial application at this time.
Travel with DACA:
It is no longer possible to submit an application for Advance Parole (permission to re-enter the United States granted in advance of travel abroad) as a DACA recipient.
Expiration of DACA and Enforcement:
According to DHS, as of now, “information provided in DACA requests will not be proactively provided to other law enforcement entities (including ICE and CBP) for the purpose of immigration enforcement proceedings unless the request or poses a risk to national security or public safety, or meets the criteria for the issuance of a Notice To Appear or a referral to ICE under the criteria.” However, this policy may change at a later time.
Catholic Migration Services urges anyone who currently receives DACA to call our office and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Please visit our website periodically at www.catholicmigration.org for information pertaining to DACA assistance.
Download this statement as a PDF.
by Natasha B. | Jan 6, 2018 | Immigration, News
As we embark on a New Year, January 1st marked the annual World Day of Peace. This year, on the 51st anniversary, in his World Day of Peace message, the Holy Father, chose the theme “Migrants and Refugees: Men and Women in Search of Peace.” The Pontiff urges to turn a “contemplative gaze” toward our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters and to respond to their plight with four “mileposts for action.” The four mileposts include: welcoming, promoting, protecting, and integrating these men and women into our communities. In his weekly column, Put Out Into the Deep, the Most Rev. Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn offers insight on helping immigrants.
Read the full column in The Tablet: Guidelines to Helping Immigrants
For additional resources from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops click here.
by Natasha B. | Dec 12, 2017 | CMS in the News, Immigration, News
Monsignor Kieran Harrington and Fr. Patrick Keating discuss TPS on In the Arena.
In the most recent episode of In the Arena, host Monsignor Kieran Harrington sits down with Father Patrick Keating, CEO of Catholic Migration Services. The two discuss recent changes to TPS (Temporary Protective Status) while also addressing what Catholic Migration is doing to to assist clients and what the community could do to advocate on behalf of their neighbors.
Watch the full interview of In the Arena via NET TV: In The Arena: Season 9, Episode 12
by Natasha B. | Dec 12, 2017 | CMS in the News, Immigration, Legal Services, News
Dec. 7 protest against immigration arrests in NYS courthouses. Photo: Amanda Ottaway, Courthouse News Service
On a frigid Thursday afternoon hundreds of attorneys and community groups rallied at the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall against recent arrests of immigrants within New York State Courts. The rally demanded that the Office of Court Administration prevent court officers from collaborating with ICE while also calling attention to the arrests’ chilling effect on access to justice for all immigrants.
Read the full story via Courthouse News Service: Attorneys Hold Chilly Protest as Immigration Arrests at Court Surge
