Program areas at Catholic Legal Services
Cuban/Haitian Entrant Program - CCLS provides services to Cuban/ Haitian nationals to gain work authorization, legal residency and utltimately put them on a path towards citizenship. The purpose of the program is to assist refugees to achieve economic self-sufficiency and social adjustment within the shortest possible time after their arrival in the United States. In 2021, we provided 884 services for 639 new clients under this program.
Naturalization Program - Presentations are presented at adult education centers on the naturalization application process. Application workshops and referrals to probono attorneys are provided. Additionally, CCLS provides a computer lab where naturalization applicants are able to complete their own naturalization applications using an online software product. CCLS worked collaboratively with partners to host a virtual citizenship clinic to assist eligible lawful permanent residents apply for naturalization.
Legal Orientation/Detention Program - CCLS educates detainees in their immigration and legal rights. The program strives to educate immigrants that are detained so they can be prepared to represent themselves should the need arise. CCLS provides 1)US immigration laws orientation to detainees both individually and in small groups, 2)workshops which assist unrepresented detainees in helping themselves in pursuing legal relief, including collecting legal documents and preparing papers, and 3) recruitment, training and mentoring to pro bono attorneys to represent detainees. Building on the expertise of program, CCLS provides pro bono representation to detainees found to be mentally incompetent to represent themselves in removal proceedings.
Women and Children Project/Unaccompanied Minors Project - CCLS provides free legal assistance to women and children to obtain legal status under the Violence Against Women Act and other statutes and refers them for job assistance and other social services. CCLS provides services to meet the needs of unaccompanied children (UCs) in the Miami Immigration Court. The program educates custodians of UCs of applicable programs and laws intended to protect the UCs from mistreatment, exploitation and trafficking, and inform the custodians of available resources to assist UCs in this respect. Additionally, CCLS represents UCs who have been released from immigration detention.
General Immigration Assistance Program and Other Special Projects Low cost immigration assistance to clients who lack sufficient means. Know Your Rights (KYR) presentations to recent arrival Haitain Migrants. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans and Haitians.
New American Defender Program - The program addresses the crisis in immigration faced by families and vulnerable individuals in the South Florida Community by educating the immigrant communities of their rights, offering consultations and case assessments for immigrants under existing laws, and representing individuals facing deportation on the basis of family unity, disability or vulnerability.
Project LABRE - This program serves the immigration needs of the local homeless population and the medically needy. Because of the program's assistance, they can secure work permits and residency cards which allow them to work, live independently, and access desperately needed social services. In 2021, the program provided 541 individual services to 299 people.
Victims of Crime Program - Abused women, men and children are the most vulnerable immigants and represent some of the poorest members of the South Florida community and have little hope of escaping their abusive situation or of changing their economic situation without obtaining legal status in the United States.