Program areas at Catholic Migration Services
In 2022, cms won following outcomes for our fellow new yorkers opened 2731 new immigration, housing, and employment cases. Worked on and closed 3321 ongoing cases. Immigration services:immigration legal Services program provides a range of Services, including confidential screenings for undocumented immigrants, reuniting families through family-based petitions, petitioning for asylum, and defending immigrants against deportation. It also hosts outreach events and provides know-your- rights education. Our lawyers gave community presentations that reached more than thousands of new york residents and informed them about changes in federal immigration policy and ways to avoid frauds and scams that target vulnerable immigrants. Saved low-income immigrants $249,350 in fee waivers for immigration filings. Helped 295 immigrants become naturalized u.s. citizens. Defended 102 immigrants in their removal proceedings. Helped 72 immigrants to adjust their legal status keeping families intact for some or ensuring the personal safety of others. Helped 65 young immigrants renew daca (deferred action for childhood arrivals), thereby preventing their removal from the us and enabling them to work lawfully.
Employment services:workers' rights program (wrp) helps low-wage workers recover unpaid wages and unemployment insurance, protects them against unsafe working conditions, and informs workers of their rights. These Services were especially needed during this pandemic year in which many low-wage workers lost their jobs and, if they retained their employment, worked in essential jobs with substantial health risks. Obtained $542,713.57 for low-wage immigrant workers in settlements and judgements for unpaid wages.
Housing services:tenant advocacy program (housing or tap) provides housing legal Services, tenant organizing Services, leadership training, and know-your-rights education to low-income tenants, most of whom are immigrants. Recovered payouts totaling $30,670.29 for tenants who were overcharged rent or were due rent reductions for decreased Services. Provided community legal education to 7,794 community members through in-person, community presentations and training, online interactive presentations, and other virtual means.