Immigration Legal Assistance Program

Ascentria’s Immigration Legal Assistance Program and other community partners will be offering free immigration legal help at the Worcester Public Library today! Call 508-799-1655 x3 to schedule an appointment.

Unable to make it? Worcester community partners will be offering this free legal resource once a month until August! The next session will be on May 10 from 4 to 7 pm. We hope to see you there.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently rolled back a Trump-era rule that prevented LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers from reuniting with their partners in the U.S.

The original rule limited the scope of “valid marriages” to include only those formally recognized in the country where the marriage took place; many of these countries prohibit same-sex marriage, making it impossible for couples to obtain proof of marriage.

USCIS now recognizes the pre-Trump interpretation of this rule: there are many contexts for marriage and committed lifelong relationships may not be formalized for a variety of reasons, including that the marriage may be considered illegal in that country.

The U.S. should be a safe haven for all; we are happy to see this policy changed!

Read more about this here: https://immigrationimpact.com/2022/03/02/uscis-lgbtq-asylum-refugee-couples/?emci=720b4edd-099c-ec11-a22a-281878b85110&emdi=d6ffe496-609d-ec11-a22a-281878b85110&ceid=8885584 #.Yid0GejMKUk

Ukraine is designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) - effective on March 3, 2022, and will remain in effect for 18 months! This new designation of TPS for Ukraine enables Ukrainian nationals (and individuals without nationality who last resided in Ukraine) currently residing in the United States to file initial applications for TPS, so long as they meet eligibility requirements.

Individuals eligible for TPS under this designation must have continuously resided in the United States since March 1, 2022. Individuals who attempt to travel to the United States after March 1, 2022 will not be eligible for TPS.

Learn more about this announcement here: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2022/03/03/secretary-mayorkas-designates-ukraine-temporary-protected-status-18-months?fbclid=IwAR3Iz_v0zEWHmClIg0Yc8ksykfO-IRZs8aXLr8LDjapmskDFzPhhrRPxD_4

In August, Haiti was rocked by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, injuring and displacing thousands. It also rendered pre-existing conflicts and conditions in the country worse and led many to seek refuge in the U.S.

Ascentria stands with Haitians affected by the August earthquake. The Immigration Legal Assistance Program is standing by to assist Haitian nationals with applying for Temporary Protected Status, asylum, and humanitarian parole.

To learn more about how we can assist you or someone you know, please contact [email protected] or call 774.243.3045

Congratulations to the nine people who received their green cards last week! Five Immigration Legal Assistance Program team members (4 pictured) attended multiple hearings at the Boston Immigration Court to assist these clients in obtaining permanent residence.

For assistance with your own immigration status, please contact [email protected]