Campus Ministry

Catholic University’s Office of Campus Ministry supports all members of The Catholic University of America community as they seek individual and communal growth. In addition to providing a pastoral presence on campus and convening the community for prayer and worship, Campus Ministry works to promote social justice, encourage community service, and facilitate a broad range of outreach activities serving our friends and neighbors in the Washington, D.C., area. Persons seeking a central point of contact on campus for questions or concerns about immigration-related issues, policies, and/or support services may contact Harrison Hanvey, assistant campus minister for community service, at 202-319-5575 or hanvey@cua.edu for help in identifying and accessing the appropriate information or resource.

Office of Global Strategies (CGE)

With a mission to foster a greater sense of international community that builds on Catholic University’s strong intellectual tradition and Catholic mission, the Office of Global Strategies promotes the formation of cross-cultural connections at various levels across the University. Specifically, it coordinates the hosting of international visiting scholars, including Fulbright scholars, and visiting delegations; assists international students, scholars, and faculty with immigration-related advising as well as cultural advising and programming; serves as the university's official liaison to the federal government for immigration-related issues; and provides professional immigration and cross-cultural services to CUA departments and international students and scholars.

Center for Cultural Engagement (CCE)

Located in the Pryzbyla Center, the Center for Cultural Engagement works with student organizations and campus departments to promote intercultural education and awareness at the University. It organizes and sponsors a rich schedule of events cultural events, from dinners, movie nights, and concerts to the annual Thanksgiving Potluck and International Week celebration. The CCE represents and reflects the University’s commitment to a creating a campus and world that values every human being and supports and celebrates their unique experiences and contributions. 

Columbus (Law School) Community Legal Services (CCLS)

The CCLS Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Clinic (IRAC) teams Catholic University law students with supervising clinic attorneys to assist clients—adults, as well as unaccompanied minors— with immigration matters and other civil matters that may affect or relate to clients’ immigration of refugee status. Catholic University law students participating in IRAC are dedicated to advancing justice and work tirelessly on behalf of immigrant and refugee clients to protect their rights and expand access to justice and opportunity in the U.S. Contact CCLS at 202-319-6788.

Division of Student Affairs

The Catholic University Division of Student Affairs is committed to providing an inclusive and welcome environment for all students through the work of the Dean of Students, Residence Life and Campus Activities programs, Counseling Center, Student Health Services, and Center for Cultural Engagement, among other offices and programs. Trained and dedicated student service professionals—advisors, tutors, counselors, mentors, and legal experts—can help students manage the challenges and stresses of the transition to studying and living in the United States.

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)

Serving international students, faculty, researchers and other visiting scholars, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) supports the academic mission of Catholic University by promoting international educational exchange within the University, as well as to federal agencies and the world. It helps ensure University compliance with applicable immigration-related regulations; facilitates the legal entry and transition of foreign students and scholars; advocates on behalf of foreign students and scholars both within the university and among applicable federal regulatory agencies; and provides opportunities for intercultural education and exchange through educational and cultural programs that foster greater understanding and appreciation for other cultures and traditions.

Office of the General Counsel (OGC):

Catholic University’s Office of General Counsel has responsibility for managing the legal affairs of the University, including those pertaining to employment and immigration. It supports the University’s commitment to welcoming to the CUA community students, faculty, and employees from around the globe, and its website provides access to extensive information on relevant law as well as many forms, checklists, and resource references.

Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC)

As a large percentage of the Asian Pacific Islander community consists of immigrants, the APALRC provides legal assistance on immigration and naturalization cases, including adjustment of status, consular processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), employment authorization, family-based petitions, naturalization, removal hearings, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and “T” and “U” visas. For legal assistance, call (202) 393-3572; Main Ext. 22. For Chinese: Ext. 18; Hindi/Urdu: Ext. 19; Vietnamese: Ext. 20; Korean: Ext. 21. Requests may also be made by email at helpline@apalrc.org.

American University Immigrant Justice Clinic (IJC)

Provides representation on a broad range of cases and projects involving individual immigrants and migrants, and their communities. The IJC focuses its work on four broad substantive areas: (1) immigrant deportation defense and immigration detention; (2) immigrant workers' rights; (3) civil rights for immigrants; and (4) immigration, gender, and sexual orientation issues. Student Attorneys in the IJC regularly appear in Immigration Court, and may also appear before federal district court, the courts of Maryland and D.C., and before federal and state agencies. Call the IJC at 202-274-4147.

Ayuda

Since 1973, Ayuda’s expert and dedicated professionals have provided legal, social, and language services to help more than 100,000 low-income immigrants throughout Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia navigate the immigration system, breakdown barriers, access justice, and transform their lives. Ayuda’s staff attorneys and pro bono program assist more than 2,000 women, men, and children every year in obtaining visas, work authorizations, legal status, and more.

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Transitioning to life in the U.S. can be a very stressful experience. Everything is unfamiliar, from weather, landscape and language to food, fashion, values, and customs. The degree of "culture shock" depends on many factors including individual flexibility, tolerance for ambiguity, degrees of difference between home and host culture, prior international/intercultural experience, personal expectations, and more. Part of the U.S. Department of State, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs offers insights on adjusting to a new culture.

Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition

The CAIR Coalition strives to ensure equal justice for all immigrant adults and children at risk of detention and deportation in the Capital region and beyond through direct legal representation, know your rights presentations, impact litigation, advocacy, and the enlistment and training of attorneys to defend immigrants. In the last decade, CAIR Coalition has more than doubled in size and has added two new programs to complement its original work serving detained adult immigrants. These include the Detained Children’s Program, which assists unaccompanied immigrant children in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement in juvenile facilities in Maryland and Virginia, and the Virginia Justice Program, which educates public defenders on the immigration consequences of crimes with the goal of lessening the disparate impact of criminal proceedings on non-U.S. citizens.

CASA de Maryland/CASA de Virginia

CASA provides a variety of legal services for low-income immigrants in housing, employment, and immigration matters, including adjustment of status, consular processing, employment authorization, naturalization/citizenship, and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program. The process normally begins with free legal consults on these matters during weekly intake sessions conducted each Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. in CASA’s Multicultural Center, 8151 15th Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20783. (Space is limited so early arrival is recommended.)

Catholic Charities of Maryland

The mission of Immigration Legal Services (ILS) at Catholic Charities of Baltimore is to “welcome immigrants by offering hope, compassionate services, and the power to improve their lives.” Immigrants from all over the world have received important resources and compassionate guidance at the Catholic Charities’ Esperanza Center since 1963. The center’s dedicated staff and volunteers provide services and referrals, English as Second Language (ESL) education, healthcare, and low-cost immigration legal services to thousands of immigrants each year. Contact ILS at 667-600-2900.

Central American Resource Center

The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) has fostered the comprehensive development of the Latino population in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region since 1981. Provides direct legal, housing, and citizenship services to low- and moderate-income Latinos at all stages of the long and complex migration process.

D.C. Bar Immigration Legal Advice and Referral Clinic

To address the growing need for legal immigration services in the District of Columbia, the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center sponsors an Immigration Legal Advice & Referral Clinic to provide free consultations to area residents, including legal information, brief advice, and referral services. Bilingual attorneys and interpreters are available for clients who speak a variety of languages. Visitors to the clinic will be able to receive assistance from volunteer attorneys with civil legal problems governed by U.S. immigration laws. Visitors to the clinic are encouraged to bring all documents concerning their legal issue. All services at the clinic are provided free of charge.

D.C. Latino Caucus (DCLC)

The Mayor and D.C. Council provide $500,000 annually in new funds for legal services to aid undocumented immigrants. DCLC urges anyone who has been, or knows someone who was, affected by the DACA decision or recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) action to please contact DCLC at information@dclc.org

Hogar Immigrant Services

Part of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington (Va.), Hogar Immigrant Services responds to the Catholic Church’s call for social justice by welcoming the stranger to this country, regardless of ethnicity, religion, nationality, or ability to pay. Its goal is for immigrants to achieve self-sufficiency and participate fully in the greater community, which it achieves by offering a combination of legal consultation and representation, English-language instruction and other adult education programs, and naturalization assistance. Specific legal services include cases involving adjustment of status, unaccompanied alien children (UACs), obtaining lawful permanent residence (green card), naturalization applications, citizenship certificates, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), travel documents, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, employment authorization, asylum, and more. Schedule a consultation appointment by calling 703-534-9805.

Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON)

Provides free, high-quality immigration legal services to immigrants, while at the same time encouraging cross-cultural community building. JFON conducts immigration legal clinics two times per month in locations throughout the D.C.-Baltimore area, giving immigrants who have questions about their status or potential legal cases an opportunity to consult with an experienced immigration attorney. Potential clients who wish to attend a clinic must make an appointment by calling and leaving a voice mail message at 202-825-4424.

Kids In Need of Defense (KIND)

More than 240,000 unaccompanied children have arrived in the United States since 2014, fleeing from violence in some of the most dangerous countries in the world. Adding to the challenges and risks they face, 60 percent have no one to represent them in immigration court, and children without representation are five times more likely to be deported back to danger. With a national network of 40,000 pro bono attorneys, paralegals, and law students, and in partnership with nearly 600 corporations, law firms, law schools, and bar associations across the country, KIND advocates on behalf of unaccompanied children in their search for safety. Locally, KIND maintains field offices in both Baltimore, Md., and Washington, D.C.

Latin American Youth Center

A multicultural, community-based organization whose mission is to support youth and their families to live, work, and study with dignity, hope, and joy. LAYC provides bilingual programs and opportunities in academics, arts and recreation, job readiness, safe housing, and health and wellness. Also advocates for policies and laws that create opportunities for youth and their families in the region.

Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area

Engaging many community partners and volunteers, Lutheran Social Services’ Refugee Resettlement Program welcomes displaced families and children who seek refuge from war, poverty and persecution. Through a range of services including advocacy, employment services, and mentoring, LSS rebuilds lives and offers security after years of uncertainty and turmoil.

Mary House

Provides transitional housing services, shelter and support programs to homeless and struggling immigrant families. Whether looking to secure stable employment, pursue an education or address medical issues, Mary House families are provided with a network of support that is dedicated to ensuring their needs are met. With 13 sites in northeast Washington D.C. and Takoma Park, Maryland, Mary House serves up to 50 immigrant and refugee families with affordable housing, in addition to the food, clothing, and childcare services it provides to many more.

Neighbors’ Consejo

Serving primarily Spanish speakers who have limited ability with English, Neighbors’ Consejo provides culturally and linguistically competent healthcare, social, and support services for underserved and uninsured members of the community, empowering them to become self-sufficient and productive members of society.