Immigration Legal Services

Immigrants come to the United States to follow the same dream that has inspired millions of others before them – to have a better life for themselves and for their children. Upon arrival in the United States, immigrants face a daunting array of linguistic, economic, cultural and legal challenges. Through immigration legal services, newcomers receive high-quality legal consultation, referral and representation for an array of immigration benefits, such as political asylum, naturalization and family reunification. Last year alone, more than 4,000 persons received immigration legal services from Catholic Charities.

Catholic Charities agencies throughout the United States are responding to the needs of victims of violence and human trafficking. RIS received a multi-year federal grant that has enabled us to establish a Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit within our Immigration Legal Services program. This unit is able to serve immigrant victims of domestic violence through a holistic approach that provides legal immigration services, safety planning, emergency shelter, counseling, crisis intervention, and access to public benefits. Immigration legal service professionals along with project partners provided services to over 200 victims of violence throughout 2005.

For more information about Immigration Legal Services, call 617-451-7979.