Posts Tagged ‘immigrants’
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013
By Alice Kenny
Immigration reform may pass this year, predicts Kevin Appleby, director of migration and refugee policy at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, as he speaks with Msgr. Kevin Sullivan on JustLove radio broadcast on April 27.
“Political winds, Mr. Appleby says, “are blowing our way.”
Called the “guru of immigration reform” by Msgr. Sullivan, Mr. Appleby offers an inside perspective on immigration reform’s history, hurdles and likelihood of success.
“We don’t have a system based on the rule of law anymore,” Mr. Appleby says. “It’s based on chaos.
“At the border we have a sign that says ‘keep out’ but at the workplace we have a sign that says ‘help wanted.’”
Eleven million people live in the shadows and form an underground economy, he added. Massive deportations divide families and pull parents away from children. Persons struggling for a better life die as they try to cross the desert.
Solutions have been debated for decades, ever since Congress passed its last major immigration reform bill in 1986.
What’s different now “in a word,” says Mr. Appleby, “is the election; both parties have taken note and realized that the demographics of our country are changing and they need to get out ahead of it.”
Tune in to hear the entire show on The Catholic Channel 129, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio.
Looking for information about Comprehensive Immigration Reform?
Catholic Charities is here to help.
Click here to learn how to prepare for immigration reform
Contact us now.
Call Catholic Charities at New York State New Americans Hotline: 1-800-566-7636
Tags: campaign, deportations, families, immigrant community, immigrants, Immigration Reform, immigration status, Justice for Immigrants, Kevin Appleby, legal immigration policies, Legal Services for Immigrants, naturalization cases, New York State New Americans Hotline, NYS New Americans Hotline, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Posted in New York City, Parishes, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Friday, April 19th, 2013
A. There are no new laws yet and no “amnesty;” all we have is a bill in the Senate. We are still many months away – if not longer – from any new laws. You can call us at 800-566-7636 to check if the law has passed; we’ll be happy to answer your calls.This Senate bill is only the beginning of the conversation. There will be a long time before we know what the law looks like and before anyone can apply for anything.
B. In the meantime you should NOT give anyone money to any notarios, agencies, or lawyers to prepare an application or help them gather documents. Once we have a Comprehensive Immigration Reform law, there will be many reliable agencies that will help people at low cost and possibly for free. There is no need to pay thousands of dollars now.
C. What you can do is to start preparing on your own in the following ways:
i. Start a box of important documents, including:
1. Identity documents;
2. Evidence of when you came to the US and how long you have been here (the date in the Senate bill is December 31, 2011, but people who came to the US before they turned 16 and would qualify under the DREAM Act, should gather evidence for all those years that they have been living in the US);
3. Evidence of any trips outside the US after the first arrival (evidence of how long they were out of the US);
4. Evidence of work (particularly if you are an undocumented farm worker) or education in the US (particularly for DREAM Act-eligible kids);
5. Copies of any applications you already made to INS/USCIS;
6. If ever arrested, get the certificates of disposition, because those with certain serious convictions will not be eligible to apply, so you will need to show those conviction records to an attorney.
ii. Start learning English;
iii. US citizens who want to sponsor their siblings should talk to an attorney about starting the process now (the Senate bill proposes to eliminate visas for siblings of US citizens – but that can also change);
iv. Save money because there will be penalty fees (Senate bill says $2000, to be paid in stages) in addition to application fees.
Tags: campaign, Catholic Charities, CIR, comprehensive immigration reform, immigrant community, immigrants, immigration, Immigration Reform, immigration status, immigration system, Justice for Immigrants, Legal Services for Immigrants, naturalization cases, New York State New Americans Hotline, NYS New Americans Hotline, Obtaining Work Authorization, Policy and Advocacy, Preventing Exploitation, refugee, Refugee Act, Refugee Resettlement Program, Reuniting Families, Seeking Asylum, Senate bill, Teaching English and Civics, Undocumented citizens, Undocumented workers, Visa
Posted in Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, New York City, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees | No Comments »
Thursday, April 18th, 2013
Msgr. Sullivan meets with immigrants before leaving for D.C. for the presentation of the bi-partisan Senate immigration reform bill.
“We are hopeful that the filing of a bipartisan Senate bill on immigration seems, after many years, to make comprehensive immigration reform a real possibility. We appreciate the hard work of the group of Senators and others that has made this possible. We note with special pride and recognition the work of so many Catholic organizations and the leadership of the Bishops on this issue. While we are hopeful and supportive, the bill is complex and requires careful analysis. There will be opposition. We look forward to making suggestions for improving the bill to even better reflect our longstanding concerns for family unification, a fair, legal immigration system, protections for temporary workers, effective, yet humane border security and due process in enforcement. We look forward to working in partnership with many to ensure that this reform happens for a straightforward reason—concern for the common good of the nation and the well-being of individual immigrants and their families.”
- Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York
Tags: campaign, immigrant community, immigrants, immigration, Immigration Reform, immigration status, Justice for Immigrants, Legal Services for Immigrants, naturalization cases, New York State New Americans Hotline, NYS New Americans Hotline, Obtaining Work Authorization, Policy and Advocacy, Preventing Exploitation, refugee, Refugee Act, Refugee Resettlement Program, Reuniting Families, Seeking Asylum, Senate bill, Teaching English and Civics, Undocumented citizens, Undocumented workers, Visa
Posted in Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, New York City, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Friday, April 12th, 2013
By Alice Kenny
Waving signs and chanting slogans, thousands of New Yorkers added their voices Wednesday to a massive national mobilization for immigration reform. They included Oberos Unidos de Yonkers, day laborers assisted by Catholic Charities, who rallied in White Plains. Residents also took part in candlelight vigils in Rockland and Putnam Counties, marched in Newburgh and joined busloads that wound their way from New York City and the Hudson Valley to Washington, D.C. Together they united with tens of thousands of people who met on the Capital lawn to insist that the time for change is now.
“Catholic Charities is both proud and privileged to work with newcomers who contribute to the growth and well-being of this country, the one they call home,” Catholic Charities Executive Monsignor Sullivan said yesterday. “We join immigrants and advocates who will make this case in Washington D.C. and in other parts of the country at a massive mobilization and faith community vigil for citizenship, and fair and humane legal immigration opportunities.”
Wednesday’s outdoor rallies took place as a bipartisan group of senators worked inside the Capital. Known as the “Gang of Eight,” they are negotiating a bill aimed at securing the border, tapping foreign workers for critically needed jobs and creating a path to citizenship.
Catholic Charities helps immigrants reunite legally with their families, obtain proper work authorization, learn English and civics, and prepare to pass citizenship exams. Catholic Charities also assists immigrants in avoiding exploitation by unscrupulous practitioners by providing correct information and realistic counsel about immigration status.
For example, Catholic Charities works with Obreros Unidos de Yonkers, a group of more than 300 day laborers in Yonkers. Together, we educate workers regarding employment rights and responsibilities to prevent exploitation and workplace abuse. We also assist in integrating workers into society and provide local resources to assist them in this process.
We do this by:
- Hosting workshops and trainings on worker rights, safety in the workplace, basics of immigration and other topics as needed
- Issuing membership cards with identifying information
- Providing office and meeting space and administrative support for workers
- Assisting in the collection of unpaid wages, access to healthcare services, emergency food, English as a Second Language programs and computer classes.
- Facilitating conversations with local business owners, police elected officials and the community.
Looking for more information about Obreros Unidos de Yonkers?
Call (914) 375-6729/48 for more information on or visit the office at St. Peter’s Church basement, 91 Ludlow Street, Yonkers, NY 10705.
Call the Catholic Charities Help Line — (888) 744-7900 — for more help finding the services you need.
Tags: citizenship, citizenship exams, ESL programs, foreign workers, Gang of Eight, healthcare services, hudson valley, immigrants, immigration opportunities, Immigration Reform, immigration status, jobs, Monsignor Sullivan, Newburgh, Oberos Unidos de Yonkers, Obreros Unidos De Yonkers, Putnam Counties, Rockland, Washington DC, White Plains
Posted in Policy and Advocacy, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Thursday, March 21st, 2013
By Alice Kenny
Catholic Charities can help immigrants learn whether they are eligible for authorization to work legally in the United States and can help them apply for such authorization if eligible.- WARNING: Many agencies will advertise that they are able to get work documents for immigrants who lack legal immigration status.
- These practices are fraudulent and could lead to deportation.
- It is very important to get advice from a qualified, and reputable individual or organization to make sure that the work authorization document you apply for is valid.
Call the New York State (NYS) New Americans Hotline: 1-212-419-3737 or 1-800-566-7636 (toll-free in NYS) for more information.
Click here to learn more about the New Americans Hotline.
Click here to find a Catholic Charities agency that can help you determine if you are eligible for work authorization.
Check out the New Americans website just announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo at www.newamericans.ny.gov
Tags: agencies, deportation, fraud, immigrants, legal immigration, New Americans Hotline, work authorization
Posted in Uncategorized, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Thursday, February 7th, 2013
By Alice Kenny
Looking for help reuniting with your family? Catholic Charities helps immigrants and refugees reunite with family members in two ways: through the legal immigration process, and through the refugee resettlement process. In both programs, highly skilled staff helps navigate the complicated rules and applications required by the U.S. government for family members to enter the United States.
Click here to find a Catholic Charities agency that can help.
Call Catholic Charities at the New York State New Americans Hotline: 212-419-3737 or 1-800-566-7636 (toll-free in NYS).
Looking for help with other needs? Call the Catholic Charities Help line at: 888-744-7900.
Tags: Catholic Charities, immigrants, legal immigration, New York State New Americans Hotline, refugee resettlement, refugees, U.S. government
Posted in Agencies, New York City, Staten Island, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Friday, January 4th, 2013
“Obama administration officials unveiled rules on Wednesday that will allow many American citizens — perhaps hundreds of thousands — to avoid long separations from immediate family members who are illegal immigrants as they apply to become legal residents.” Read more from The New York Times.
Catholic Charities helps immigrants and refugees reunite with family members in two ways: through the legal immigration process, and through the refugee resettlement process. In both programs, highly skilled staff helps family members navigate the complicated rules and applications required by the U.S. government for family members to enter the United States.
If you need help in finding the services you need, please call Catholic Charities at the New York State New Americans Hotline,1-800-566-7636.
Tags: Catholic Charities Help Line, family, immigrants, legal immigration process, New York State New Americans Hotline, refugee resettlement, refugees, U.S. government
Posted in Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
Friday, December 28th, 2012
Thank you for everything you do throughout the year to help Catholic Charities provide help and create hope for New Yorkers.
When considering a year-end gift, it’s important to make sure your contribution will make an impact. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York has once again been recertified by the Better Business Bureau’s Charity Review Program, meaning its policies and procedures have been reviewed and meet the standards of the charitable accountability of the Better Business Bureau’s Philanthropic Advisory Service.
While Catholic Charities continues to help Sandy survivors, we need to remember the many others in New York who need help every day. Your 2012 tax-deductible gift can help Catholic Charities protect and nurture children; keep families housed and fed; help immigrants become part of their new home; allow persons with disabilities to find employment; provide necessities for New Yorkers in crisis.
There’s still time to help give families a good beginning for 2013. Donate today, or sign up to volunteer.
What are some ways you’re planning to help your neighbors in the new year?
Tags: 2013, Better Business Bureau, Catholic Charities, children, crisis, disabilities, donation, donations, employment, families, helping families, helping neighbors, immigrants, New Year, New Yorkers, Philanthropic Advisory Service, Sandy survivors, tax-deductible, Year End
Posted in Feeding the Hungry and Sheltering the Homeless, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Seasonal Message, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Supporting the Physically and Emotionally Challenged, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »
