Catholic Charities Refugee & Immigration Services - Portland, ME
Compassionate Immigration Legal Aid 🌍
Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigration Services (RIS) is a dedicated program of Catholic Charities Maine, located in Portland. Founded in 1966, the organization has a long history of welcoming and empowering new Mainers. As a Department of Justice (DOJ) Recognized Organization, RIS provides high-quality, low-cost immigration legal services to refugees, asylees, and immigrants with limited financial resources. The legal team consists of DOJ-accredited representatives who are authorized to practice immigration law and represent clients before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 🕊️.
Immigration Legal Services
RIS focuses on helping individuals and families navigate the complex U.S. immigration system to achieve stability and legal status. Their services include:
- Permanent Residence: Assisting with Adjustment of Status applications to obtain Green Cards for eligible immigrants.
- Citizenship and Naturalization: Guiding lawful permanent residents through the process of becoming U.S. citizens, including application assistance and interview preparation 🇺🇸.
- Family Reunification: Filing family-based petitions to help relatives of U.S. citizens and refugees immigrate to the United States.
- Employment Authorization: Helping eligible non-citizens apply for and renew work permits.
Community Support and Integration
Beyond legal forms, Catholic Charities provides a holistic approach to helping immigrants succeed in their new communities:
- Case Management: Connecting clients with essential resources like housing, healthcare, and education.
- Multilingual Support: The staff speaks multiple languages, including French and Arabic, and utilizes professional interpreters to ensure clear communication for all clients 🗣️.
- Travel Documents: Assisting refugees and asylees in obtaining necessary documents for international travel.
Affordable Access to Justice
Catholic Charities RIS is committed to making legal services accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. They operate on a nominal fee structure, charging significantly less than private law firms. Consultations are often available to assess eligibility and legal options. Please note that the organization generally does not handle deportation defense or initial asylum applications, focusing instead on administrative petitions and applications before USCIS.
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Location & Access
Primary Address
Located in Portland's residential Parkside neighborhood, situated just south of the historic Deering Oaks Park.
Building Location
Housed inside the historic Sacred Heart / St. Dominic Catholic Church building, located at the corner of Mellen Street and Sherman Street. It is situated near the scenic Deering Oaks Park.
Parking Details
On-street public parking is available on Sherman Street and surrounding blocks. There are also private and public surface parking lots in the immediate area.
Public Transit
Served by Greater Portland METRO Route 9A (North Deering); nearest stop is at Congress St + Deering Ave.
Accessibility / Suite Access
Enter through the main community doors of the Sacred Heart Church building facing Sherman Street. The Refugee & Immigration Services offices are located on the main floor.