Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Catholic Migration Services is pleased to announce that it will reopen intake for removal and deportation defense proceedings in our Queens office in May 2013, with an intake day scheduled for Tuesday, May 28. The Removal Defense Project was reopened in our Brooklyn office in January 2013, coinciding with a successful re-structuring of the organization and the receipt of additional funding for our critical legal services.
The Removal Defense Project aims to ensure that all people facing deportation are treated with dignity and respect and are provided with competent legal counsel. We are committed to protecting the rights of those seeking to remain in the United States and advocate tirelessly on our clients’ behalf. The RDP will consider representation of individuals in a broad range of removal proceedings including asylum claims, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, and unaccompanied minors. We also represent immigrants in appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Our capacity is limited and we cannot provide legal representation to many who seek our assistance. To be eligible for representation by RDP, an individual or family must reside in Brooklyn or Queens. There is no charge for RDP services, but clients must agree to terms of representation which include cooperation with our staff. We do not answer legal questions over the phone and do not accept walk-ins.
The RDP is managed by CMS’ supervising immigration attorney, Sharone Schwartz Kaufman. Ms. Kaufman is assisted by immigration staff attorneys Chris Holtz and Julia Hernandez, as well as B.I.A. accredited representative Frederick Stefani.
RDP consultations are made by appointment only on intake days, held once a month in our Brooklyn office and once a month in our Queens office. To schedule an appointment with an RDP attorney, please call our Brooklyn office at (718) 236-3000 or our Queens office at (347) 472-3500 and indicate your interest in the Removal Defense Project.
