We provide assistance and guidance for those who seek lawful permanent residence status and those who wish to become citizens of our nation.
The Immigration and Citizenship Program staff is accredited by the Department of Justice and are a significant resource in our communities known for their experience and expertise in the processes of becoming legal residents and/or citizens.
Our immigration staff provides assistance with:
- U.S Citizenship applications
- Adjustment of Status
- DACA
- U-Visas
- VAWA-Visas
- Consular Visa Processes
- Other services
Immigration Update: U-Visa Regulations
On June 14, 2021, the United States Citizenship, and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a New Policy Alert.. Under this new policy, the USCIS will now exercise its discretion to issue Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) (also known as work permits), as well as “deferred action” status to certain U visa applicants. Both new applicants and those with pending applications for work authorization under the U-Visa are eligible for this discretionary benefit. This discretionary status is called a “bona fide determination”.
This is an exciting new development in immigration law because no longer will victims of crime have to wait for approval of their U-Visa application. Applicants may be eligible to receive work authorization while their application is pending if they meet certain criteria. Those criteria are called “discretionary standards.”
To learn more about this change in policy, and the criteria for the “bona fide determination” please see the link below to the new policy. If you have questions about whether you qualify under this new policy or would like a consultation, please contact Catholic Charities Immigration Services at 831-722-2675.
Catholic Charities is recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals which is the highest administrative body responsible for recognizing organizations and accrediting individuals that practice before the immigration courts.
We provide services to women and children who qualify for VAWA (Violence Against Women and Children Act.) Those clients with the U Visas are charged a fee per family member.
As part of its ongoing effort to raise awareness about scams targeting the immigrant community, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has developed a series of “fotonovelas” in Spanish. The graphic-novel stories are the FTC’s response to many complaints by immigrants about scams throughout the nation. The stories offer practical tips for how to identify and avoid common scams. Click here to view.