IMMIGRATION & REFUGEE SERVICES
Immigration Services 2011 Drawing
Click here for Official Flyer and Rules
Service Philosophy
As we face each of the above changes, through manmade or natural causes, our philosophy remains the same. The Office of Immigration/Refugee Services serves all individuals regardless of race, religion, country of origin, or ability to pay who are experiencing problems in seeking admission into the country, seeking permanent residence, citizenship, family reunification or assistance while temporarily here in the U.S., as well as those seeking to avoid deportation or fleeing persecution. Our multilingual/multicultural staff anticipates the needs of our client population and responds accordingly providing assistance in translating, completing intake forms, and assimilating to cross-cultural differences.
Delivery of Services
Clients are seen by appointment except on Wednesday mornings which is our designated walk-in day. This is a new service which was added in 2001 to meet the needs of clients who need urgent assistance and cannot wait for a first available appointment. On Wednesdays, clients arrive early and sign up in the order in which they arrived. Caseworkers attend the first ten cases, but make every effort to accommodate overflow by scheduling a first available appointment, or asking walk-ins to return later in the day if the matter is urgent. Each new client completes an in-take, rights and responsibilities form and pre-immigration questionnaire for consultations. When filing petitions through our office, each client completes the post-immigration survey, a service plan, and signs a service agreement specifying fees due to USCIS as well as the nominal fees payable to Catholic Charities for services rendered.
Resettlement Practice
In collaboration with the Florida Department of Children and Families and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida assists refugees and their families to assimilate and acculturate into their new communities.
Sponsoring Families and Groups
Catholic Charities recognizes the importance of self-determination and respects the skills and abilities of our clients. Therefore, the resettlement service is designed to foster maximum independence, self-direction and self-support by providing the persons served with specialized support and training. It is the goal of this program to enable the client to transfer skills from their former socio-economic system to that of the United States. Each eligible client will receive the essential elements of service regardless of race, religion, country of origin or ability to pay.
Transition Assistance
Catholic Charities recognizes the need for a coordinated effort with national organizations, local, voluntary and public organizations, in order to help newcomers become integrated, functioning members of their new society. Staff will provide clients/ and US Ties with a list of networks, including religious, social, recreational, job related, networks amongst others, to assist the refugee in becoming an active member of the community. In addition, staff is encouraged to assist the refugee and the US Tie to maintain a positive, effective relationship, making referrals if necessary, in order to ensure a smooth, effective transition for the refugee.
Citizenship Assistance
In the case of application for citizenship, the organization’s services will include information about citizenship classes offered at local educational facilities which provide orientation on the process. Staff will assist clients in obtaining the necessary preparation during the process of gaining citizenship, including providing the study guide or citizenship test. This includes, but is not limited to, referral to appropriate agencies, educational institutions, and direct assistance. Clients are informed of the process from initial application, until the swearing in ceremony.
Immigration and Refugee services available in Pensacola. Refugee Resettlement is available in Tallahassee.
The values which guide Catholic Charities in its work are rooted in the Gospel and affirm the intrinsic dignity and rights of the human person.
Catholic Charities welcomes the participation of people of other faiths, and indeed, all people of good will in our mission.
Changing Lives
“Because of their help, my family has been reunited after over 15 years of separation. I have now met aunts, uncles, and cousins that I barely knew existed.”
“The immigration interview went very well. They gave me a stamp in my passport and told me I will have my green card coming in my mail in few months. Now we’re settled in Niceville. My husband found a job a few weeks before the interview and now I can look for a job too! Thank you very much for your help and support. You made a whole family really happy!”
“The staff exceeded my expectations. They patiently guided me through the process and handled everything. It was a relief to get so much help with something I knew nothing about.”
“I am very impressed by the efficient operation of this office and by the courtesy and professionalism of the staff!”
Resources
United States Citizenship Immigration Service
US Embassies, Consulates, & Diplomatic Missions
US Passport
Social Security Information
Internal Revenue Service
Selective Services System
US Dept. of Justice
US Dept. of State
Welcome to the US
Welcome to Florida
The Florida Bar
FL Dept. of Revenue
Florida DMV
FL Legal Assistance to the Poor Programs
US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.