Immigrant and Refugee Services
Bishop Francis Center for Legal Immigration Services – Immigrant & Refugee Services
976 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
P: 973-733-3516
F:973-733-9631
Immigration Assistance Program
“Immigrants are our brothers and sisters.”
~Pope Francis
Direct Representation
Catholic Charities provides low cost and pro bono legal assistance in all phases of immigration and naturalization proceedings, including removal defense (asylum, cancellation of removal, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status), family petitions, waivers of inadmissibility, humanitarian applications (VAWA, U visa, T visa), TPS, DACA, and naturalization. All cases are handled by an attorney or Department of Justice Accredited Representative. Program staff are also available to provide educational workshops on immigration law and current immigration issues.
Children & Youth
With funding from NJ DHS and the federal government, we offer free legal representation and case management services to unaccompanied children and similarly situated youth in New Jersey.
Employment Authorization Assistance
Catholic Charities coordinates a state-wide network of partner agencies providing comprehensive self-help workshops for individuals who are eligible to apply for work authorization.
Naturalization Assistance
In partnership with Jewish Vocational Services, we provide free naturalization application assistance and interview preparation.
For more information, please email us at immigration@ccannj.org.
Legal Access Services for Reunified Families (LASRF)
Provides self-help sessions and group workshops for previously separated families.
Legal Orientation Program for Custodians (LOPC)
LOPC connects sponsors of unaccompanied minors with critical information about Immigration Court proceedings, medical and mental health services, school registration, and community youth programs. Sponsors participate in a 90-minute presentation, including a Q&A session, leave with a packet of resources, and receive a follow-up check-in phone call the week after the orientation. LOPC staff can be reached at LOPC@ccannj.org.
Immigration Court Helpdesk (ICH) and Family Group Legal Orientation Program (FGLOP)
For unrepresented individuals and families in removal proceedings, these programs offer group and individual orientations on court procedures, options for relief, and the rights and responsibilities of pro se litigants. Families on the Dedicated Docket in Newark can contact FGLOP@ccannj.org for more information. The Immigration Court Helpdesk can be reached at ICH@ccannj.org. Walk-in services are available at the Newark Immigration Court Monday – Thursday from 9 – 12, and at our office Monday – Thursday from 9 – 4.
Safe Release Support
The Safe Release Support Program helps reunite migrant children with their families in the United States. Catholic Charities offers family members with crucial assistance in the background check process and provides referrals for legal assistance, medical and mental health services, and other social services for both the sponsoring family members and the children they receive.
For more information, please contact fingerprints@ccannj.org.
Refugee Social Services
“Jesus was a refugee. [He] had to flee to save his life.”
~Pope Francis
Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
RCA is a federal cash assistance program for refugee populations who are not otherwise eligible for direct financial assistance, including Cuban/Haitian entrants, asylees, refugees, and victims of human trafficking. Catholic Charities assists RCA clients in accessing available cash assistance, applying for benefits, accessing medical care, and developing longer-term plans for self-sufficiency.
For more information about RCA eligibility, please call (201) 407-7713 or email refugee@ccannj.org.
Refugee Support Services (RSS)
RSS helps refugees gain economic independence and integrate into local communities by helping to find and maintain employment and addressing barriers to employment including English language instruction, childcare, and access to legal services. Specific programs include:
- English Language Training
- School Impact
- Career Pathways
- Services for Older Refugees
- Health Promotion
For more information about refugee social services programming, please email refugee@ccannj.org.
Refugee School Impact (RSI)
The Refugee School Impact program assists newly-arrived families enroll their children in school and access academic programs and resources.
For more information about refugee social service programming, please email refugee@ccannj.org.
Mother Teresa House
In partnership with St. Teresa of Calcutta parish, Catholic Charities provides temporary housing for asylum-seeking families. Volunteers assist families with English as a Second Language (ESL), tutoring, transportation, and connection to community resources.
If you are interested in volunteering at MTH, please contact Catholic Charities’ Office of Volunteer Services at stobin@ccannj.org.
