Immigration Legal Services
We can help with immigration applications.
We offer many services ourselves and can direct you to resources for others.
We work closely with the MIRA Coalition and other service providers. Please see below for helpful hints on Know Your Rights, Family Preparedness and other key resources.
We offer direct assistance with:
- Family Immigration –
For Family of US Citizens or People with a Green Card, Inside and Outside the United States - Green Card Applications –
For Renewal, Asylum Granted for 1 year, Refugees, and Other Qualifying Applicants - Humanitarian Applications – TPS, VAWA, DACA Renewals.
- TPS (Temporary Protected Status) is currently available to people from: Burma (Myanmar), El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
- Employment Authorization – For Qualifying Statuses
- Travel Documents – For Statuses Requiring Special Permission to Re-Enter the United States
- Fee Waivers– For Government Application Fees
- USCIS Change of Address
- other services determined by intake review
Process for Immigration Support
2.
Get scheduled for an intake.
3.
Immigration attorney reviews the intake.
4.
We contact you to schedule a consultation phone call with the attorney.
5.
The attorney answers your questions during the consultation and lets you know if CNA can help you with services.
6.
If we can help, a paralegal will contact you to start your case.
If you need services we cannot provide, we help connect you to a provider.
Immigration News Update for CBP-1 App Entrants
Center for New Americans is aware that CBP-1 App entrants may have received a notice today from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding the termination of their parole in 7 days (unless it expires sooner), including language stating they must depart the United States immediately. Many CBP-1 App entrants have alternative, lawful status that allows them to remain, such as an asylum application, TPS, or other lawful status.
If you have filed for TPS or Asylum in the U.S., you may remain in the United States until there is a decision on your status. If you are in immigration court, you may stay in the United States to file an application in immigration court and wait for a decision on your status.
If you have not filed an application for asylum in the immigration court yet, you can call Center for New Americans at 413-587-0084 or another immigration legal service provider for assistance and we will all do our best to assist you.
The Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) reiterates that immigration matters are complex and highly individualized, and seeking legal advice will ensure that you can make informed decisions based on accurate information. The Office for Refugees and Immigrants can be contacted at ORI.Inbox@Mass.gov.
Massachusetts-based Immigration Resources
The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition promotes the rights of immigrants and refugees. Here is a link to their Know Your Rights Materials.
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) assists individuals in finding specific immigration lawyers in your area that speak your language
Central West Justice Center, (800) 649-3718, partners with Community Legal Aid to provide free legal help to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. Central West Justice Center advocates focus on cases involving humanitarian-based immigration law, employment rights, housing and homelessness issues, and access to public benefits
Community Legal Aid, (855) 252-5342, provides free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of Central and Western Massachusetts
Immigrant Family Services Institute, (617) 322-1348, provides legal aid, housing, education, children’s programs, health insurance, and more to immigrants and their children
Lawyers for Civil Rights, (617) 482-1145, offers immigrants access to legal advice and allows community members to report raids. immigrant defense hotline: (617) 988-0606
New England Justice for Our Neighbors, (855) 635-8781, provides expert legal aid to Massachusetts immigrants seeking humanitarian-based visas. Their clients include unaccompanied minors, asylum applicants, and victims of violence. Advice and advocacy legal clinics in Western MA can be reached at: (413) 386-9951
Pioneer Valley Workers Center, (413) 570-3060, assists individuals in applying for a driver’s license
The Amherst and Northampton Police Departments will not share information with ICE. Please see their statements:
ACLU of Massachusetts has up-to-date information on issues important to immigrants and refugees. Below are videos on Knowing Your Rights:
We Have Rights: When ICE is Outside Your Door: English | Spanish | Arabic | Haitian Creole | Russian | Mandarin | French
We Have Rights: Inside Our Homes: English | Spanish | Arabic | Haitian Creole | Russian | Mandarin | French
We Have Rights: In Our Communities, In Our Streets: English | Spanish | Arabic | Haitian Creole | Russian | Mandarin | French
We Have Rights: If ICE Arrests Us : English | Spanish | Arabic | Haitian Creole | Russian | Mandarin | French
413 Staying Connected is a local advocacy group
Family Preparedness
Immigrant Family Services Institute Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Geralde V. Gabeau, speaks here on how to keep your family safe during the current political climate and reiterates the importance of knowing your rights.
National Immigration Resources
The Immigration Advocates Network maintains a national directory of more than 950 free or low-cost nonprofit immigration legal services providers in all 50 states (Center for New Americans has a partial list of immigration professionals in our area.)
Informed Immigrant is a continuously updated resource site for immigrants and allies across the United States
Be aware of scams by service providers. Use competent immigration help, such as mentioned above.
People should know their rights when in contact with an immigration agency.
