Press Releases
CLINIC Awarded $500,000 Grant to Provide Citizenship Services
Washington, DC - The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) was selected by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to expand and introduce citizenship programs to Legal Permanent Residents in four cities in the United States.
CLINIC was one of only seven national organizations chosen under the USCIS Citizenship and Integration grant program to offer naturalization and citizenship services in communities that currently lack or have limited resources. CLINIC, a network of more than 195 nonprofit immigration programs, has partnered with Immigration Legal Services in Stockton, CA; Catholic Social Services of Macomb & Lapeer Counties in Clinton Township, MI; Immigration and Refugee Assistance Program in Buffalo, NY and Refugee Resettlement Services in Cleveland, OH, all emerging cities for immigrants seeking citizenship services.
“As immigrants settle into new gateway cities like Cleveland, Macomb County, Buffalo and Stockton, it is important that services are available to ease their transition and that they are educated on opportunities for engagement,” said Maria M. Odom, CLINIC executive director. “CLINIC and its affiliates are committed to introducing and improving services to immigrants that would help them to participate and contribute to their communities.”
CLINIC will work with the programs to develop English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) citizenship classes and civic education programs; to promote naturalization and immigrant integration; and to provide guidance and technical assistance to create and strengthen immigration legal services programs that would expand the availability of naturalization services.
USCCB Migration Chairman Lauds AZ Decision
URGES COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM
WASHINGTON (July 29, 2010) — As chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration, Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City applauded the July 28 decision by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton to halt some of the most controversial provisions of Arizona SB 1070 from going into effect the next day. Bishop Wester lamented the status quo on immigration as “unacceptable” and called for the Federal government to act immediately on immigration reform.
Tucson Bishop Testifes Before Congress
WASHINGTON (July 14, 2010) — Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona, Vice-president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, testified before Congress on the ethical imperative for reform of the U.S. immigration system. He spoke July 14, before the House Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
CLINIC Promotes Positive Dialogue on Immigration Reform at Annual Convening in New Orleans
Washington, DC (May 14, 2010) – The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) will host its Annual Convening at the JW Marriott downtown hotel in New Orleans, LA from May 19-21. Bringing together more than 250 legal service providers, the conference will offer a wide range of trainings and seminars, and promote advocacy on behalf of immigration reform.
USCCB: IMMIGRATION REFORM FRAMEWORK NEEDS WORK, BUT ‘IMPORTANT FIRST STEP’ IN LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
Urge bipartisan action affirming rule of law, human rights in 2010
See need to address root causes of migration
Urge not using immigration reform to promote same-sex marriage
USCCB Migration Chairman Decrys Arizona Law
WASHINGTON, DC— In solidarity with the Catholic bishops of Arizona, Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration, issued a statement April 27, opposing the enactment and implementation of Arizona SB 1070, which criminalizes undocumented immigrants.
CLINIC Applauds Bipartisan Efforts for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
March 19, 2010
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday afternoon, March 18, 2010, Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Lindsey O. Graham (R-SC) announced their blueprint for comprehensive immigration reform in The Washington Post. They outlined four pillars of their plan:
CLINIC Urges Special Protections for Haitian Children & Families
Washington, DC – The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) has joined four national and international social service organizations in urging special protections for Haitian children and families affected by the January 12 earthquake in that country.
Catholic Service Agencies Call for Rigorous Safeguards to Protect Haitian Children
WASHINGTON (USCCB)—In a letter to three Cabinet secretaries February 4, the heads of five major Catholic agencies serving Haitian earthquake victims outlined steps that should be taken to ensure the protection of unaccompanied Haitian childrenin the aftermath of the January 12th earthquake.
Statement from DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano
on TPS for Haitians
