Catholic Charities Free Legal Clinic in Newburgh Helped Nearly 100 Immigrants Understand Their Rights and Responsibilities

NEWBURGH, NY – The path to lawful status can often be a long and difficult journey and one that has become increasingly complicated for immigrants over the past year. To help clear some of the confusion, dispel rumors, and provide accurate information, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York recently hosted an Immigration Information Session and Legal Clinic at the Sacred Heart School in Newburgh.

A team of 12 Catholic Charities attorneys worked with volunteers to provide 92 immigrants with free legal consultations, as well as access to services and resources for immigrant families. The day’s events also included a “Know Your Rights” training program to help immigrants understand what they can and should do if they are contacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The 28 volunteers provided 189 hours of service offering translation assistance and moral support while they gathered background information from the clinic attendees so that the legal team had the information necessary to provide the most appropriate advice and options.

“Catholic Charities Newburgh immigration services legal clinic was a great success,” said, Maryann Tharappel, Special Projects Director, Immigrant & Refugee Services, Catholic Charities. “For those seeking assistance with their immigration status, the legal team provided valuable information and advice and the volunteers provided a warm heart and listening ear to help give voice to those in attendance. This was a great display of neighbor helping neighbor,” added Ms. Tharappel.

More than 40 individuals were found eligible for immigration benefits and 20 were scheduled for follow-up legal assistance.

Catholic Charities will host the next Immigration Legal Services Clinic on February 2 in Dutchess County’s City of Poughkeepsie. To schedule an appointment for the Dutchess County clinic, call (347) 921-0631 or email cccscommclinics@gmail.com. Those in need of assistance who are unable to attend the Dutchess County clinic, should contact the Catholic Charities Newburgh Office of Immigration Services office at 845-562-4736, or call Catholic Charities’ Office for New Americans Hotline at 1-800-566-7636 for assistance in more than 200 languages.

To find out more about volunteer opportunities with Catholic Charities, visit www.catholiccharitiesnyvolunteer.org.

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Cutline: Catholic Charities team from the Immigrant Refugee Services department assisted 92 people in need of legal assistance on their path to citizenship at a recent free community legal clinic hosted in Newburgh. Pictured are: Molly Full, Christa Temple, Franco Torres, Natalia Lucak, Maryann Tharappel, Susan Marks, Jeffrey Rivera, Lucia Goyen, and Liane Aronchick.