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Legal Services

Founded in 1996, our legal services division works to protect, maintain, and unify individuals and families in need.

Working to Keep Families Together

“It is necessary to respond to the globalization of migration with the globalization of charity and cooperation, in such a way to make the conditions for migrants more humane.”

– Pope Francis

Who We Are

Legal Services is a nonprofit law program providing low-cost consultations and legal representation to immigrants and refugees throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. We also educate the public, immigrant communities, and the organizations who serve them to promote justice for all newcomers and support conditions for their full participation in American society.

Formally known as Immigration Legal Services (ILS), Legal Services is currently focusing on family reunification and assistance to the most vulnerable immigrants and refugees, including survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

Our Services

  • Family-based applications/visas
  • Permanent residency (Green Card)
  • Naturalization and citizenship
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
  • Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse (VAWA)
  • Visa for crime victims (U Visa)
  • Survivors of human trafficking (T Visa)
  • Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
  • Asylum
  • Removal Defense
  • Refugee Adjustment of Status/Family Petition
  • Other types of assistance on a case-by-case basis
Three men and four children smiling

Who We Serve

We serve clients of diverse backgrounds with varied needs. Examples include…

  • A mother who has been feeding her children from 3,000 miles away but hasn’t been able to hug them in 10 years
  • A victim of violent crime
  • A refugee reuniting with loved ones left behind
  • A survivor of years of abuse
  • A student who has lived in Oregon since he was 6 months old, only speaks English, and found out he was undocumented after applying for college
  • A young girl escaping trafficking
  • A U.S. citizen who wants to bring his wife or child to the United States
  • An immigrant facing removal issues by ICE without a criminal offense
Two men smiling

Seeking Assistance?

If you or someone you know would like assistance from Legal Services, please call (503) 542-2855. Messages will be returned.

Enrolled clients should contact their representative to make an appointment. Walk-in appointments will not be accepted.

Articles
Statement of Catholic Charities Oregon on the Supreme Court’s decision to retain DACA.
In the News

Statement of Catholic Charities Oregon on the Supreme Court’s decision to retain DACA.

Posted By | Catholic Charities
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A mother holding her daughter and smiling
Refugee resettlement in the NW corner of the U.S.: “An honor and a privilege”
Migration Services

Refugee resettlement in the NW corner of the U.S.: “An honor and a privilege”

Posted By | Matthew Westerbeck
This post originally appeared on USCCB’s Faces of Migration blog.
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Matthew Westerbeck
Dispatch from McAllen, Texas
Migration Services

Dispatch from McAllen, Texas

Posted By | Kat Kelley, Director of Strategic Initiatives
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Kat Kelley
I've Been Called a Lot of Things...But Never an Angel
Migration Services

I've Been Called a Lot of Things...But Never an Angel

Posted By | John Herrera
John Herrera is the director of the Immigration Legal Services program at Catholic Charities. He gave these remarks at a Christmas party hosted by friends of Catholic Charities.
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John Herrera