Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be Catholic to be eligible for your services?
No, you do not need to be Catholic. We at Catholic Migration serve all immigrants in Brooklyn and Queens, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, or immigration status.
I don’t live in Brooklyn or Queens. Can I still be a client of Catholic Migration Services?
Our legal services are limited to residents of Brooklyn and Queens, but there are a few exceptions.
- Our immigration legal services are limited to residents of Brooklyn and Queens, however our naturalization assistance is available to residents in all five boroughs;
- Our housing legal services are limited to residents of Queens;
- Our naturalization services are open to immigrants regardless of residence; and
- Our hotline providing workers’ rights information and help, is open to all residents of New York City.
How much do your services cost?
Our services are free. However, we limit the availability of our services to those whose income is no more than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, with some exceptions.
Do I need to make an appointment?
Immigration Legal Services:
Consultations are by appointment only on scheduled consultation days, which are available on our events calendar. To make an appointment please call:
- Brooklyn Office (718) 236-3000
- Queens Office (347) 472-3500
Housing Legal Services Program:
Housing Legal Services are scheduled in advance during alternate weeks at our Queens office. For more information, please contact our Queens Office at: (347) 472-3500
Workers’ Rights Program:
Call our Workers’ Rights Hotline: 1 (877) 52-LABOR (52267)
Will I meet with a lawyer when I visit?
Catholic Migration Services is staffed by attorneys, DOJ-accredited representatives, law students, and other trained staff. Initial consultations may be conducted by non-attorneys, but all evaluations, recommendations, and legal documents are done by attorneys admitted to practice or by BIA-accredited immigration counselors.
English is not my first language. Are interpreters available?
Many of our staff have bilingual and multilingual capabilities and can provide legal services and interpretation services. If you need services in languages other than English and Spanish, please let us know before your meeting. This will enable us to provide you with the most appropriate staff person or to make other arrangements.
Mandarin speakers are encouraged to call the Mandarin Hotline: (347) 377-8913
How can I help further the mission of Catholic Migration Services?
Donations: Catholic Migration Services is a not-for-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) status. Any financial contributions are tax-deductible. To make a gift, please click on our Donate Now tab on the homepage.
If you are interested in working with us as a staffer, fellow, intern, or volunteer, please find more information under the Get Involved tab.