CALL OR EMAIL US
PHONE NUMBERS: 6175353139 ICAC EMAIL ADDRESS: ICAC@awakenboston.org
POLICY STATEMENT
1. We prioritize delivery of services to low-income clients
who have no access to other immigration services. No
client will be turned away based on inability to pay.
2. We reserve the decision of what types of cases are
appropriate for our office.
3. Cases that are not appropriate for our office will be
referred out to qualified attorneys
4. USCIS Charges separately for processing applications
filed. We will apprise client of anticipated changes.
5. In the event of discrepancy between this Fee Schedule,
questionnaires/checklists, and the Information Sheets, this Fee Schedule shall prevail.
As the Immigrant Connection Legal Network provides critical services, we can see positive outcomes for immigrant families, the workplace and school they are part of, as well as the communities they live in. Immigration Legal Services opens pathways for whole communities and their residents to thrive.
The Immigrant Connection National Office oversees the expansion and strengthening of
the Immigrant Connection Legal Network by launching new sites and providing
holistic, strategic support. It is a priority for offices to be healthy, build
capacity, and reach sustainability.
New sites are launched after careful assessment of community needs as well as
assessment of the church locations that are able to host sites. Ongoing support is
provided to all Immigrant Connection sites to ensure that the legal network
maintains quality standards in offering legal services.
The Immigrant Connection Legal Network is made up of Local Immigrant Connection Sites across the country. Our sites are based in both rural and urban areas and are established in under-resourced communities in order to best serve the needs of immigrant families.
Across 24 Local Immigrant Connection Sites, 43 Department of Justice accredited legal representatives and other legal staff provide immigration legal services to immigrant families. Our sites and staff have served over 17,000 immigrant families since 2014.
The first Immigrant Connection site was launched in 2014 in a small community church
in Logansport, Indiana through the Department
of Justice Recognition & Accreditation (DOJ R&A) program. This program allows
non-profit entities to become DOJ- recognized immigration legal service providers
that can staff DOJ-accredited legal representatives.
Legal representatives are non-attorney practitioners who are authorized by the DOJ
to practice immigration law.
Zach Szmara
Founder & Executive Director
In 2020, the Immigrant Connection grassroots movement progressed to becoming its own
national organization with a non-profit designation. The National Board of Directors
was established for the organization, and the National Team has grown to meet the
needs of our expanding network of sites. Since 2014, Immigrant Connection has served
over 17,000 immigrant families throughout the US.
2022 local site accredited
IC @ AWAKEN CITY BOSTON, MA
It is typical to hear multiple languages spoken at any given restaurant in the
neighborhood of Jamaica Plain in Boston, MA, where Immigrant Connection at Awaken
City Church is located. It has been clear to Site Director Melinda Priest that
services like Conversational English classes and immigration legal services are very
much needed in this community. Even before the site was approved to provide legal
services, it began hosting conversational English and citizenship classes with the
help of a growing volunteer base. Through these classes, Immigrant Connection at
Awaken City has been growing in credibility, and the local community has been drawn
to their genuine care for immigrants.
The site was approved in September 2022, and it is continuing to build partnerships
with other local organizations to best serve immigrant families. Melinda shares, “We
will together be able to serve more people with different resources. And at our
site, as we provide legal services, we want to build a place of belonging where
immigrants can really be seen. We want to help alleviate worries about basic human
rights such as being able to work freely, have a home, and reconnect with family
abroad.”
MELINDA PRIEST
ICAC Site Director, DOJ Accredited Representative melinda@awakenboston.org
BJ OICLE
DOJ Accredited Representative bj@awakenboston.org
CRISTINA VERBOVEN
Legal Assistant, Translation Coordinator crisitina@awakenboston.org
1. We prioritize delivery of services to low-income clients
who have no access to other immigration services. No
client will be turned away based on inability to pay.
2. We reserve the decision of what types of cases are
appropriate for our office.
3. Cases that are not appropriate for our office will be
referred out to qualified attorneys
Session 1: Winter
January 10 - March 14
Session 2: Spring
March 28 - May 30
Session 3: Summer
June 6 - August 8
Session 4: Fall
Sept. 12 - Nov. 14
Both of these classes are being offered on Tuesday’s at 6:30pm
Immigrant Connection has developed this resource to help churches connect with immigrants as
they prepare for the citizenship process. This course prepares an immigrant to pass the
citizenship exam.
Weekly content includes information related to US history, government, civics. Time is also
given to others aspects of the interview (reading and writing component and specific
interview questions).
The course closes with mock interviews to gauge the preparedness and readiness of all
participants for the actual citizenship exam and interview.
Are you learning to speak English?
We want to invite you into a conversation. You will have the opportunity to speak
“one-on-one” with members of our Immigrant Connection team.
We have a list of conversation starters that we have prepared for you. We have discovered
this is a great way to improve your English skills and make new friends all at the same
time!