The program addresses particular concerns and problem areas. The clients we assist mostly individuals who are not only indigent and cannot afford attorney fees, but they cannot read and write which is an added disadvantage.
Our assistance touches on the following areas:
Green Card: A very huge percentage of our clients are refugee families. They were brought into the United States from refugee camps in various countries outside the U.S. They arrived here on I-94 (a lawful record of admission into the U.S) and stayed here beyond the time they are expected to apply for change of status to obtain their Green Card or Permanent Residency. They don’t know if they are supposed to change their status to begin with. They are not educated to fill their own forms. Worst still, they do not have money required to pay Immigration attorneys to file their cases. That brings us into the picture. We talk with them, provide general education and provide the resources to file their forms. Most times we ask them to bring anyone who can read and write and who knows how to use the computer. If they cannot, we help type in the information they provide without suggesting what to put in the form. This program also addresses the problem of travel documents, job and related problems associated with the loss of Green Card.
Process Services:
- Assistance with filling forms
- Helping applicants to gather evidence
- Uploading requested and required documents to USCIS/State Department websites
- Reminding applicants to meet USCIS deadline
Citizenship Education: Those who qualify for citizenship and who have filed their citizenship applications, we conduct citizenship education using the USCIS literacy magazine. We ask them questions and read the answer in the booklet. We explain the meaning of the questions and answers, the value and responsibilities of being a United States citizen, as well as assist or refer those who need immigration documentations to available resources. We do it as many times as possible for them to remember since they cannot read and write. For those who can read and write we draw up questionnaires for them to answer and reveal the answer from the booklet. We have assisted many of them by doing that. We intend to continue and put smiles on their faces and to earn their rightful places in the U.S. Same as the Green Card process, we assist with forms, ensuring that stay within the legal frame.
Process Services:
- Citizenship Education, especially for those who cannot read and write
- Providing interpreter services for those who cannot speak and understand English
- Assistance with filling forms
- Helping applicants to gather evidence
- Uploading requested and required documents to USCIS/State Department websites
- Reminding applicants to meet USCIS deadline