Immigration Services

About the Program

CatholicFamilyCenter has been providing Immigration Assistance as recognized by the Department of Justice (formerly known as BIA) since 1996.

Our Immigration team includes Accredited Representatives authorized by the BIA to provide counsel, intervention and official representation on immigration matters adjudicated by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).

In 2016, CFC assisted over 350 households with a range of immigration issues including adjustment, naturalization, employment authorization, parole extension, family petitions and general consultation.

Immigration Assistance Web Resources

NYS Office for New Americans

Catholic Family Center is an Opportunity Center of the New York State Office for New Americans

What the Program Offers

CFC’s Immigration Assistance Programs currently offer the following services:

Citizenship & Naturalization

Assisting lawful permanent residents in applying for naturalization and helping those preparing for citizenship to access civics and English classes through our local community partners.

Green Card (Permanent Lawful Residence)

Assisting Refugees and Cuban clients obtain lawful status based on USCIS qualifying factors

Legal Consultation

Providing the local immigrant population access to qualified accredited representatives as well as immigration attorneys for legal immigration consultations or referrals

Family Reunification

Assisting refugees with family reunification applications through a variety of refugee specific pathways including Affidavits of Relationship and I-730 (Visa 93/92) filings.

Cuban/Haitian Immigration Issues

Providing a full range of immigration assistance to Cubans and Haitians including adjustment of status, employment authorization, replacement green cards, and family reunification for Cuban Medical Professional Paroles.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility for services varies depending upon the specific immigration assistance request. For questions contact CFC at the number below.

Intake Process

Clients seeking immigration assistance through CFC should contact us at the number below. CFC screens clients for assistance either through an in-office appointment or over the phone.

Program Cost

Many of CFC’s immigration assistance services are free although some services do require a service fee payable to CFC.

Clients are responsible for payment as applicable for any filing fees required by the United States Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS), as well as for other costs associated with USCIS application or petition filings such as photos, translations and mailing costs.

The Center for Migration Studies (CMS)

www.cmsny.org

The Center for Migration Studies is a non-profit organization whose primary goal is to support and undertake research, and to provide a forum for debate on international migration.

The National Immigration Forum

www.immigrationforum.org

The Forum is dedicated to embracing and upholding America’s tradition as a nation of immigrants. The Forum advocates and builds public support for public policies that welcome immigrants and refugees and are fair to and supportive of newcomers to our country.

The United States Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS)

www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

As an office within the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), USCIS is responsible for the administration of immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and establishing immigration services policies and priorities. Immigration forms, instructions and updates are available at this website.

Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. (CLINIC)

www.cliniclegal.org

CLINIC works to enhance and expand delivery of legal services to indigent and low-income immigrants principally through diocesan immigration programs and to meet the immigration needs identified by the Catholic Church in the United States.

LawHelp

www.lawhelp.org

LawHelp assists low and moderate income people find free legal aid programs in their communities, and answers to questions about their legal rights.

Legal Aid Society of Rochester - Immigration Law Unit

www.lasroc.org

The Immigration Law Unit at LAS aims to provide high quality and vigorous legal representation to assist aliens to legalize their status, defeat deportation efforts, and/or be educated to their rights as aliens. The program provides services throughout Western, Central, and Northeastern NY.

The New York Immigration Coalition

www.thenyic.org

The NYIC provides advocacy, training and other assistance to organizations across NY State promoting the rights of New York’s alien residents and the fair treatment of immigrants.