Catholic Charities’ Immigrant and Refugee Services work is rooted in the mission to uphold the dignity of every immigrant and refugee and to build a just and compassionate society. We help newcomers reunify with their families, resettle in a safe place, and apply their talents and skills in New York.
Our services include assistance with immigration applications and court defense, work authorization, integration and case management support, support to unaccompanied minors, job development, English and civics, and citizenship preparation. We also assist immigrants in avoiding exploitation by unscrupulous practitioners by providing reliable information and realistic counsel about immigration status.
Our work covers New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley, including Westchester, Rockland, Sullivan, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties.
Impact
- 28,916 vulnerable immigrants and refugees provided with legal, resettlement, or integration assistance
- 86,442 calls or emails for help and referrals answered promptly with accurate information in multiple languages
- 13,921 unaccompanied children and adults given expert immigration legal counsel and safeguarded from exploitation
- 1,898 adults and children provided with legal representation
- 493 breadwinners helped to obtain authorization to work
- 1,056 immigrants reunited with their families or granted permanent status
- 1,276 newcomers taught English and civics
- 7,905 unaccompanied children given legal orientation
- 683 refugees and asylees provided with employment and resettlement support
View/Download the Immigrant & Refugee Services brochure.
Latest Updates and Resources from Immigrant & Refugee Services
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Text: CCNYIMMIGRATION to 80123 for alerts
Call: New Americans Hotline: 1-800-566-7636
For more information about a particular program and/or service, navigate the tabs below:
Other immigration related legal service providers
For referrals to other immigration related legal service providers call the New York State (NYS) New Americans Hotline at 800-566-7636 available 9am – 8pm EST, Monday - Friday
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New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC)
www.thenyic.org/legal-orgs -
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams/find-legal-service -
Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC)
www.cliniclegal.org
Catholic Charities provides legal consultations, representation and assistance to documented and undocumented newcomers of all nationalities, ethnicities and religions. All matters are treated professionally and confidentially.
Services, provided in multiple languages, include:
- Citizenship applications
- Immigration court representation
- Legal residence petitions for relatives such as spouses, children, parents and siblings
- Work authorization applications
- Special residence petitions for spouses and children who are victims of violence
- Information about pending immigration and naturalization cases
- Legal representation in asylum cases and for long-time residents to avoid deportation
- Petitions for battered spouses and children
- Temporary Protected Status applications
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
- Green card replacement
- Family court assistance for immigrant children for special residence
- Legal residence for victims of a crime in the United States
Our central office is located at 80 Maiden Lane, 13th Floor, in Manhattan. We also provide services at locations that span from Staten Island up to the Bronx, Westchester, Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, Orange and Rockland counties.
Clients are charged nominal fees. Generally, our consultation fee is $50 ($85.00 for consultations with an attorney.) Fees for other services vary. Fees may be reduced or waived according to need. Learn more about our services
Find a Catholic Charities agency that provides legal help.
Other Resources on Reporting Exploitation & Fraud
Here are some resources that can help you understand common scams and what to do if you become a victim:
- United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
https://www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams/find-legal-services - NYS Attorney General’s Office
www.ag.ny.gov/feature/immigration-services-fraud
To report potential fraud or other issues regarding immigration services, contact the Attorney General’s Immigration Services Fraud Unit Hotline at (866) 390-2992 or email Civil.Rights@ag.ny.gov. - NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
http://www1.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/index.page - Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0031-fotonovelas
The FTC offers extensive immigration related resources, as well as bilingual "fotonovelas" on a range of consumer protection initiatives - Protecting Immigrant New Yorkers Task Force (PINY)
www.protectingimmigrants.org/2016/02/04/piny-resource-guide/
PINY created a "Resource Guide for Law Enforcement, Government Agencies, and Advocates," which has information on common scams, unauthorized practice of law, how to work with victims, community organizing, complaint mechanisms and more
The sad reality is that immigrants are common targets for exploitation. Dishonest landlords, employers, “notarios” and attorneys often prey on immigrants’ fears. And their high-cost scams can cause problems for years to come.
Catholic Charities’ qualified staff works to prevent this exploitation. We provide honest information in multiple languages and solid legal advice. We also operate the New York State New Americans Hotline.
Call us at 212-419-3737 or toll-free in New York State at 1-800-566-7636 to
- Obtain accurate information
- Avoid exploitation
- Report fraud
Find a Catholic Charities agency that provides quality help.
Other Resources for English & Citizenship Classes
These links will take you to valuable resources in your neighborhood:
- United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
Find an English or citizenship preparation class web page
https://my.uscis.gov/findaclass - Office of New Americans (ONA)
- Locate Naturalization Assistance In Your Community Page
https://www.newamericans.ny.gov/us_citizenship/locate_naturalization_class.html - Citizenship Works:
An interactive tutorial about how to prepare for the naturalization test
www.citizenshipworks.org/prepare/ - NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
www1.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/index.page - 211 Hudson Valley
www.hudson211.org
- 311 New York City
www1.nyc.gov/311/index.page
Learning English is essential to becoming fully integrated into American society. It is also necessary to demonstrate the ability to speak English along with a basic understanding of U.S. civics and history to become a U.S. citizen. Catholic Charities provides English classes and citizenship preparation classes in local parishes, schools and agencies in neighborhoods throughout New York.
Find a Catholic Charities agency that offers English and civics classes.
Process for Admission to the US
Refugees are admitted to the United States through a very long and arduous vetting process. The US Government oversees the program through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).To learn more about the process click here: www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/refugees.
ORR contracts with voluntary agencies to assist the government in welcoming refugees around the country.
To learn more about the process of getting into the country as a refugee or to contact other agencies that work with the US Government to assist these vulnerable individuals and families
If you want information about these other agencies see below for links to their websites:
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Church World Service (CWS):
www.churchworldservice.org -
Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC)
www.ecdcus.org -
Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM)
www.ecusa.anglican.org/emm/ -
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
www.hias.org -
International Rescue Committee (IRC):
www.rescue.org -
US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)
www.refugees.org -
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS)
www.lirs.org -
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
www.usccb.org -
World Relief Corporation (WR)
www.worldrelief.org/
Catholic Charities is dedicated to helping refugees and other victims who must flee their countries to escape violence and persecution. This complicated, comprehensive work often involves fragile survivors.Case managers and job trainers help them learn English, find work, and make a new home. We also help families and individuals navigate the complicated government rules and applications needed to start a new life.
To make the transition as easy as possible Catholic Charities:
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Helps family members and sponsors process overseas applications for refugee status outside the United States
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Helps those who recently received asylum status in the United States
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Makes pre-arrival arrangements to assure a smooth transition into the United States
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Provides material assistance after arrival
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Offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
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Helps with school enrollment
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Provides information and referral to social services
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Provides training to find and land a job
These services are provided at our main office at 80 Maiden Lane in Lower Manhattan To reach us call (212) 419-3700.
Find a Catholic Charities agency that can help you reunite with family.
Find a Catholic Charities agency that assists refugees and asylees.
Help for Unaccompanied Immigrant Children & Their Families
Thousands of immigrant children arrive in the United States each year alone and frightened without a relative or caring adult. Catholic Charities provides crucial legal and support services to children detained in temporary, federal shelter care in New York as they await reunification with a relative or transfer to foster care. We also offer legal representation in court so children don’t have to go in front of a judge alone.
And we help custodians and potential custodians through the Legal Orientation Program for Custodians (LOPC) to better understand their roles, responsibilities and the immigration court process.
Call 888-996-3848 to speak with an LOPC Children’s Center experts.
For case managers only: Login to the LOPC Online Scheduling System (OSS) page to schedule appointments and orientations for the custodians you serve.
Catholic Charities is dedicated to helping refugees and other victims who must flee their countries to escape violence and persecution. This complicated, comprehensive work often involves fragile survivors.Case managers and job trainers help them learn English, find work, and make a new home. We also help families and individuals navigate the complicated government rules and applications needed to start a new life.
To make the transition as easy as possible Catholic Charities:
-
Helps family members and sponsors process overseas applications for refugee status outside the United States
-
Helps those who recently received asylum status in the United States
-
Makes pre-arrival arrangements to assure a smooth transition into the United States
-
Provides material assistance after arrival
-
Offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
-
Helps with school enrollment
-
Provides information and referral to social services
-
Provides training to find and land a job
These services are provided at our main office at 80 Maiden Lane in Lower Manhattan To reach us call (212) 419-3700.
Find a Catholic Charities agency that can help you reunite with family.
Find a Catholic Charities agency that assists refugees and asylees.
Getting Permission to Work in the US
WARNING: Many agencies advertise that, for a price, they can get work permits for immigrants who lack legal immigration status. These may not be valid. When fraud is suspected, call the Catholic Charities-operated New York State New Americans Hotline to make a confidential report.
Call the New York State New Americans Hotline at 212-419-3737. Or call toll-free in New York State at 1-800-566-7636
Catholic Charities helps immigrants learn if they are eligible to work legally in the United States. And when eligible, Catholic Charities helps complete the applications needed for legal authorization to work.
What to do About Wage Theft
Wage theft is the illegal underpayment or non-payment of wages owed to workers. When you don’t receive all the wages you have earned the first step is to bring it to your employer’s attention, as hopefully it was only a mistake. However, if it turns out you’re a victim of wage theft, unlawful deductions, shorted hours, or more, you have rights.
Regardless of your immigration status, if you worked in New York State and were not paid for those hours you can file a claim with the NYS Department of Labor for unpaid wages.
There are also ways to make sure that you are keeping proof of informal, day labor or piece work so that you can recover wages if you are not paid.
To learn more about your rights with respect to unpaid wages contact:
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Catholic Charities Bronx Center Day Laborers Program
402 East 152nd Street
Dial: (212) 419-3704 -
St. Jerome H.A.N.D.S. Community Center
330 E. 138th St. Bronx, NY 10454
Dial: (718) 402-7866 OR (718) 665 5875 -
Don Bosco Community Center
22 Don Bosco Pl, Port Chester NY 10573
Dial: 914-939-0323 x11 OR 914-939-3490 - Catholic Charities Yonkers Day Laborers Program
204 Hawthorne Ave Yonkers, NY 10705
Dial: (914) 476-2700
- Work Place Fairness
www.workplacefairness.org -
Chinese Staff and Workers Association
www.cswa.org
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Make The Road New York
www.maketheroad.org
Catholic Charities helps immigrants learn if they are eligible to work legally in the United States. And when eligible, Catholic Charities helps complete the applications needed for legal authorization to work.
Job Preparation & Placement
Finding work is hard but Catholic Charities is here to help. If you have obtained status as a refugee, asylee, victim of trafficking, or other humanitarian process, we help write resumes, develop solid interview skills and teach you how to search for a job. We also set up job interviews matching employers with qualified workers. In addition we provide employment training, English instruction and help preparing for the high school equivalency test. (GED)
Find a Catholic Charities agency for help obtaining authorization to work and finding employment.
Catholic Charities helps immigrants learn if they are eligible to work legally in the United States. And when eligible, Catholic Charities helps complete the applications needed for legal authorization to work.
Help for Day Laborers
Catholic Charities helps day laborer men and women earn a living, contribute to society and become part of their communities. in partnership with the Day Laborers we provide educational workshops, leadership training, and opportunities for economic empowerment. Some programs teach OSHA approved on the job safety classes and skills classes in knitting, sewing and other occupations. Services may also include English as a Second Language, G.E.D. and Literacy classes, immigration legal assistance, recovery of lost wages and emergency help with social services.
Day Laborers are hard working men and women who find informal, temporary work by waiting on street corners, parking lots, outside home improvement stores or inside worker centers. Informal agreements, ranging from a few hours to weeks are established between workers and employers for a variety of work including construction, landscaping, car washing and moving jobs.
While protected by most labor laws, they are vulnerable to unfair labor practices and often subjected to workplace violations such as wages below minimum wage or non-payment of wages, long hours, no overtime pay, illegal deductions from wages, lack of meal breaks, exposure to health and safety violations, lack of protective equipment, no worker’s compensation, discrimination, harassment, and threats to report workers to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The links below will take you to other organizations that work with Day Laborers:
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Workers Justice Project - New York City Day Laborer Organizing
www.workersjustice.org/organizing/workers-justice/day-laborer-organizing-for-change/ -
El Centro Staten Island
www.elcentronyc.org/about-us -
Neighbors Link
www.neighborslink.org/
Catholic Charities helps immigrants learn if they are eligible to work legally in the United States. And when eligible, Catholic Charities helps complete the applications needed for legal authorization to work.
