Immigrant & BIPOC Solidarity NE Ohio

Dear Immigration Partners,

We're writing to share news that we are going to begin hosting free legal clinics for immigrants in need of legal advice. This includes immigrants at risk of detention or deportation and/or those needing advice on how to adjust their status for legal residency. The first clinic will be Monday, June 22nd, at 6 p.m., and clinics will continue twice a month.



Please encourage your immigrant friends, family, and neighbors to register for these clinics, or sign up yourself if they will benefit you. Also, please consider volunteering with us to help make these clinics a success. Registration form in English (and with links to Spanish, French, and Nepali):

https://form.jotform.com/261436313077050.



Please note that what we are offering is only a stop-gap measure, as the City of Cleveland Heights has thus far refused to fund legal aid representation for immigrants, even when our proposal offered funding options as low as $5,000. Instead, CH4IR is offering this free legal aid clinic program, using pro bono services from a few lawyers who are able to offer a few hours for free advice (not representation). Pat Espinosa, of Sus Abogados Latinos, is kicking off the series with the first three clinics:



- Citizenship & Naturalization, Monday, 6/22, 6-7 pm (virtual)

- Family Preparedness & Power of Attorney, Monday, 7/6, 6-7 pm (virtual)

- DACA / "Dreamers" / Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival, Monday, 7/20, 6-7 pm (virtual)



While our focus has been on providing free legal aid clinics to residents of Cleveland Heights specifically, we will not turn anyone away if there is space. You do not need to be a resident of Cleveland Heights to sign up for a clinic appointment.



How can you help?

- Print and distribute the attached flyer (especially to places frequented by undocumented immigrants).

- Reach out to immigrants you know and encourage them to sign up for a clinic appointment if they need legal advice.

- Host immigrants who want to attend virtually but need a safe place and/or access to a computer with wifi.

- Facilitate a legal aid clinic session (as a legal expert, as a Zoom room coordinator, or to assist with future in-person clinics).

- Provide language translation services for non-English speaking participants.

- Sign up to canvas workplaces (see below).

- Other (let us know what you can do!)

Jamie Hickner is coordinating CH4IR’s legal aid project. If you would like to volunteer, please email: [email protected].



Want to Canvas?

Cleveland Heights for Immigrant Rights will be canvassing businesses this Saturday, June 20th at 2 p.m. This will involve visiting businesses and sharing information about upcoming legal aid clinics, having conversations to find out which immigration legal aid topics are needed most urgently, and registering people to attend clinics.

Sheila Keller is coordinating CH4IR’s canvassing of businesses. If you would like to volunteer to canvas, please email: [email protected]



Topics for Upcoming Legal Aid Clinics (depending on need):

- Pathways to Permanent Residency: Green Cards, Family Petitions, and Adjustment of Status

- Humanitarian Relief: Asylum, Refugee Status, Humanitarian Parole, TPS (Temporary Protective Status)

- Relief for Survivors and Vulnerable Populations: U Visas for Victims of Crime, T Visas for Survivors of Human Trafficking, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petitions, SIJS (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status)

- Family-Based Immigration & Permanent Residency: Family-Based Petitions, Adjustment of Status, Green Cards (renewal, replacement, removal of conditions), Mixed-Status Families

- Employment-Based Immigration: H-1B Visas, Employment-Based Green Cards, Workers' Rights, Wage Theft

- Enforcement, Detention & Removal Defense: Immigration Habeas Petitions (Detention), Know Your Rights During ICE Encounters, Emergency Family Preparedness Planning

Thank you, so much, for helping to get the word out! We look forward to hearing from you!

Warm regards,

Jamie Hickner & Sheila Keller

Cleveland Heights for Immigrant Rights

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English - Free Immigration Rights Legal Clinics Sign Up Please click the link to complete this form.