Immigration Department
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Immigration Services for New Clients
Consultations for new clients will be by appointment or by walk-ins on Thursday mornings starting at 9:00 am. Please call 361-884-0651 Ext. 233 to schedule an appointment or for more information.
Las consultas para nuevos clientes se realizarán con cita previa o sin cita previa los jueves por la mañana a partir de las 9:00 a. m. Por favor llame al 361-884-0651 Ext. 233 para programar una cita o para más información. -
Did You Know?
Family Based Visa Petitions
United States Citizens can petition for a spouse, children (including stepchildren under the age of 18), parents, brothers and sisters. A Lawful Permanent Resident can petition for a spouse and unmarried children.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)(available to women and men) VAWA protects the victim(s) of abuse by allowing abused/battered persons and/or their children to self-petition for permanent residence without the danger of relying on the abuser's participation in the process. -
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established 1985
The Immigration Department was one of the first non-profit organizations in the region to provide legal services and representation to the immigrant community, and it continues to be the only agency in the region recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals to provide a broad range of immigration services to immigrants and their families throughout all 12 counties within the Diocese of Corpus Christi.
Since its inception, the mission of the Immigration Department has been to provide the highest quality legal services, education, and representation to the region's immigrant community and to provide these services with compassion and in a manner that ensures and respects the dignity of every person. By providing these low-cost services, the Department seeks to reunite families and empower members of the immigrant community to be self-sufficient and active members of the greater community.
The Department is designed to assist and guide clients through the immigration process in an effective and professionally caring manner. The Department advocates for and helps all qualified persons in the following areas:- Family-based immigration petitions
- Adjustment of Status
- Removal of Conditions
- Refugee/Cuban Adjustment
- Naturalization/Citizenship
- Renewal/Replacement of Lawful Permanent Resident Cards ("Green Cards")
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of certain countries suffering from natural disasters (LIMITED - CALL FOR INFORMATION)
- Petitions under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) - legal relief for victims of domestic violence and other crimes
- Document translation
- U-Visa processing for victims of violent crimes
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) (LIMITED - CALL FOR INFORMATION)
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Consultation and Client Fees
A $25.00 consultation fee (cash or money order only) is charged per consultation. This fee includes a review for client eligibility and a discussion of "next steps" for the processing of the case. In most cases every person is required to come in for an initial consultation before a case is opened.
Department legal fees to proceed with a case will vary according to a written fee schedule depending on the type of service needed.
Please Note: USCIS (government) fees are separate from legal fees; USCIS fee waivers are available for many processes upon individual qualification. -
Updates
U. S. citizenship gives you the most privileges and rights; call us to see if you qualify (361) 884-0651 Ext. 233 or check here.
Stay current with DACA and TPS status; renew if you are eligible (call 361-884-0651 Ext. 233 for more information). -
Recognition/Accreditation and Affiliation
Recognition/Accreditation:
The Immigration Department is recognized and accrediated by the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Access Programs (OLAP). Attorneys and DOJ accredited representatives are authorized to provide legal counsel to immigrants on their eligibility for immigration benefits under current immigration law.
Affiliation:
The Immigration Department is an affiliate member of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and its Migration and Refugee Services Program, and the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops.