Mission:
The Immigration Clinic seeks to “welcome the stranger” through direct services, education, and advocacy on behalf of the immigrants in our state.
Direct Services:
The Immigration Clinic specializes in family and employment based immigration services, including permanent residence, citizenship, work authorizations and visa renewal. These services are available to individuals and their families who are seeking legal status in the United States.
Services provided are as follows:
- Consultation regarding immigration options
- Petition for Alien Relative (immigration based on marriage or family relationship)
- Petition for Alien Worker (immigration based on employment)
- Adjustment of Status (Permanent Residency)
- Affidavit of Support
- H1B Petitions
- Work Authorization Renewal
- Extension of Stay (Visa extension)
- Citizenship/Naturalization
- VAWA Applications (self petitions for abused spouses and children)
- Certification of Citizenship
- Removal of Conditions from Residency
- TPS (Temporary Protected Status)
- Change of Address
- Status Inquiry
- Interpretations
- Certified Translation of documents (Spanish / English)
Education:
The Immigration Clinic ensures that the immigrant community is aware of its rights and responsibilities as guests, alien residents, or citizens of the United States. In collaboration with the Diocese Office of Hispanic Ministry, we continue to educate the general population about the immigrant community in order to promote understanding, acceptance, and protection of immigrant rights.
Advocacy:
The Immigration Clinic staff advocate with parishes, employers, state agencies, civic organizations, and both state and national legislatures to promote the rights and general welfare of the immigrant community.
Some of the issues that concern us:
- Fair immigration policy that keeps families together and does not discriminate against the poor
- Elimination of the backlogs (of years) for immigration benefits
- Decent housing for immigrant workers
- Ability to obtain a drivers license for immigrants
- Ending the exploitation of undocumented workers
The Immigration Clinic is recognized by the BIA. What is the BIA?
(Board of Immigration Appeals). It is the highest administrative body for interpreting and applying immigration laws. In addition, the Board is responsible for the recognition of organizations and accreditation of representatives requesting permission to represent clients before the USCIS (formerly known as the INS).
The Clinic serves all immigrants, regardless of country of origin. Our staff speaks English and Spanish. Those who speak other languages should bring a translator.
Initial Consultation $20.00
Contact us for any questions you have regarding your immigration status.
Michael Ann Galliano Oropeza – Program Director
Ph: 601-948-2635
Fx: 601-948-2678
Para Hablar en Español: Teresita Turner - Cultural Specialist
"The Church hears the suffering cry of all who are uprooted from their own land, of families forcefully separated, of those who, in the rapid changes of our day, are unable to find a stable home anywhere. She senses the anguish of those without rights, without any security, at the mercy of every kind of exploitation, and she supports them in their unhappiness" (John Paul II, Message for World Migration Day 2000, no. 6). 
