Immigration Services
Since 1977, Catholic Charities has been committed to providing multilingual help to improve the legal immigration status of the United States’ most vulnerable immigrants and refugees, allowing them to participate fully in society. Our services encompass most areas of immigration law; however, particular focus is given to reuniting families and helping victims of crimes.
Immigration services include:
- Initial Consultations
- Family reunification
- Naturalization
- Permanent residency
- Employment Authorization
- Replacement/Renewal of Lawful Permanent Residency
- Extensions of Stay
- FOIA (Freedom of Information Act)
- Helping eligible immigrant women in abusive situations apply for legal permanent status under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), allowing them to leave an abusive relationship and stay in the United States.
- Extensive outreach and public education throughout the Diocese.
Immigration counseling begins with an intake appointment; these are done on a walk-in basis at our Green Bay Office:
- Wednesdays: 1pm-6pm
- Thursdays: 9am-3pm
Intakes are done in Appleton and Manitowoc offices by appointment. Because of the complexity of immigration law, consultation cannot be done over the phone. The fee for an initial consultation is $35. After this session, you will be given information on how to proceed. If we are unable to help you, you will be given a referral to other legal resources that may be able to take your case.
Our counselors are partially accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the highest administrative body for interpreting and applying United States immigration laws. Partial accreditation means our immigration counselors can practice before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), but not before the Board of Immigration Appeals or Immigration Judges. In addition, we are affiliated with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), who provides consultation and legal advice on cases when needed. This is done by immigration attorneys.
Fees
All of our fees for immigration services are based on our reasonable fee schedule; fees depend upon the service provided. Fees are collected once your case has been accepted and the counselor has all the necessary information to complete your application. Clients may request a fee reduction if they can demonstrate hardship. Our fees are in addition to the filing fees the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services charge.
Warning: Beware of notarios! These people generally charge high fees and lack accreditation, continuing training and education in immigration law. Often notaries file incorrect and unnecessary paperwork. The advice and information they give about immigration laws and procedures is often false, wrong and misleading. This has lead to serious consequences for many who unknowingly trusted a notario with their application.
For more information on our Family Strengthening Immigration Legal Services, please contact: jroemer@gbdioc.org
Important links:
www.uscis.gov United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): InfoPass (secure Internet based system for scheduling appointments with immigration information officers at USCIS offices:
http://infopass.uscis.gov/index.php Schedules appointments with the Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Milwaukee
http://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jpsp/index.jsp Case Status Online
www.travel.state.gov State Department (Visa Bulletins, Passport information):
www.cliniclegal.org Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (provides legal and administrative support services to member agencies): US Conference of Catholic Bishops: American Immigration Lawyers Association (promotes public understanding of immigration law and policy):
http://www.usccb.gov United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
http://www.aila.org American Immigration Lawyer Association
www.immigrantjustice.org National Immigrant Justice Center
