Center for Removal Defense

Access to low-cost and pro bono legal services are essential for immigrant families facing increased risk of deportation.  However, the availability of these legal services to immigrant families facing separation is extremely limited. Retaining a private immigration attorney for representation in removal proceedings can cost tens of thousands of dollars. As such, access to high-quality removal defense representation is usually far out of reach for the average immigrant family living in Oregon.

PROVIDING JUSTICE AND PROMOTING FULL PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETY

Many who are new to this country have very little and are often unable to afford the kind of legal representation that ensures safeguards and legal protections when detention and deportation become real threats.

The Center for Removal Defense leverages Catholic Charities of Oregon’s existing Immigration Legal Services (ILS) team to improve our ability to tackle complex immigration court cases, specifically detention and removal defense, for vulnerable families. The center, in conjunction with the ILS team, provides high-quality immigration legal services to low-income immigrants and refugees and engages in public education, training, and community outreach to promote positive conditions for the full participation of all newcomers.

KEEP KIDS HOME TASK FORCE

Changes in immigration policy enforcement has put many children in Oregon at risk of being separated from their families. Catholic Charities of Oregon has collaborated with statewide partners in education, foster care, and immigration legal services to develop cross-system infrastructure, policies, and procedures to protect children and keep them out of state custody in the event of detention or deportation of a parent.

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