Immigration Clinics Help Irish Understand the Law

The following article is from IrishEmigrant.com/boston.

Securing legal residency status for many Irish immigrants is Job 1.

For some, the process is a lengthy and daunting one. Knowing when to declare one's immigration status, how to sign-up for federal health care and how to report taxes from any job can deter any new immigrant.

But there is help.

The process is more palatable when attending one of the many immigration clinics sponsored by the city's Irish advocates.

Boston's Irish Immigration Center (IIC), for instance, offers a series of "Legal Clinics in Your Neighborhood

the meetings, the IIC's pro-bono attorneys and volunteers in Allston-Brighton, Dorchester and South Boston advise clients in search of answers to immigration questions. The attorneys walk clients thorough the maze of employment-based requirements and matters related to family and citizenship issues.

Thomas Keown, a spokesman for the IIC, said the clinics serve as an initial consultation with immigrants who have questions about anything at all related to immigration.

"Our Tuesday neighborhood clinics specialize in employment-based immigration and other issues, and our Thursday downtown clinics in family-based immigration and citizenship," said Keown. "At recent clinics we have had folk ask about everything from marriage, to visas, to trying to bring family members into the U.S, to becoming an American citizen. You name it, people ask about it."

Keown said immigration law is extremely complicated and many immigrants are intimated by the process and by the cost of a lawyer. The clinics provide a free and confidential way for folk to explore their options and access an immigration attorney they otherwise may not be able to afford.

"A major way we see clinics benefiting new immigrants is that an early chat with one of our attorneys can help avoid major problems down the road," Keown said. "We have seen immigrants come in who have paid money to fraudsters and scam artists and we have been able to help undo or, at least, minimize the damage done to their case. We have been privileged to help others all the way along the road from new arrival to U.S. citizen."

At the Irish Pastoral Centre in Quincy, help is also ready at hand. Attorney Chris Lavery has experience advising Irish new to Massachusetts. Lavery told The Irish Emigrant some immigrants get caught in a situation they cannot remove themselves from.

He advised considering work programs beyond the 90-day visa waiver program used by many Irish citizens.

"It's the worst provision (the visa waiver program) for Irish nationals," said Lavery. "If you have someone who is willing to sponsor you, then you should take advantage of it."

One of the recent questions put forth by a dancer named Gloria was related to the renewal of her O-1 visa application. The O-1 classification applies to those people "who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, athletics or show extraordinary achievements in the motion picture and television field."

In addition, the O-2 classification applies to those people accompanying an O-1 alien to assist in an artistic or athletic performance for a specific event or performance.

For Gloria, her international dancing background and work with a leading Boston-based dance company inspired the question. Lavery assisted the woman during the review of the application for renewal of her visa. Such are the types of questions and issues that are asked of immigration attorneys affiliated with the IPC and the IIC.

Keown said many new immigrants find immigration law complicated.

"New immigrants are naturally overwhelmed and intimidated by the system and that's why we're here," said Keown. "Even when filing what you might think are routine forms are often not as routine as they seem. Having one of our attorneys go over them could save you a lot of time and hassle in the long run. If you have any concerns at all about your status then come see us. Don't delay. With immigration issues, your problem won't go away over time, it will get bigger."

At the IIC, their "Legal Clinics in Your Neighborhood" meetings take place at their downtown offices located at 59 Temple Place, suite 1010. To get there, potential clients can take the subway to the Park Street or Downtown Crossing subway stations. For questions about the clinics or the schedule, those interested can call 617-542-7654.

Source: IrishEmigrant.com/boston

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