Gulf Coast Immigration and Detention Project

Case Study

Mr. R- is a lawful permanent resident living in Biloxi. While driving, he was stopped by what he assumed to be police or U.S. border patrol agents. Two men dressed in dark blue clothing and driving a dark blue SUV asked him to get out of his car and give them his driver’s license and other documents. Mr. R- gave the men his wallet with $200, driver’s license, and green card which he had just renewed. The two men took the cash and documents drove off.

Catholic Social & Community Services’ (CSCS) immigration caseworker assisted Mr. R- in filing with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services for a replacement of his stolen green card. The caseworker assisted Mr. R- as a victim of crime by accompanying him to the police department to correct his first police report because important details had been omitted due to language barriers. The local Latin American Association was informed of the crime as it was documenting an increase in this type of perpetration. Later, the victim called CSCS to inform them that he had a received his green card replacement and that the Biloxi Police Department had suspects in his case.

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The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) is actively working to protect immigrants' rights in the areas afflicted by Hurricane Katrina. In October 2006, CLINIC launched its Gulf Coast Immigration Project with generous funding from Catholic Charities USA and other donors. The project supports the addition of extra immigration counselors in five affected communities: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette, Louisiana and Biloxi and Jackson, Mississippi. Staff are involved in assisting immigrants with a host of immigration, housing, employment, law enforcement and detention issues.

The Gulf Coast Immigration Project completed its first year on September 30,

2007. In the year, the project:

Employed two additional immigration attorneys and three paralegals working towards Board of Immigration Appeals accredited representative status in five cities;
Increased “know your rights” presentations and direct legal representation for immigrants in detention and removal proceedings;
Served over 2,600 newcomers with immigration and other legal support, including naturalization, family reunification and employment authorization applications;
Published an An Advocate's Manual for Solving Employment Problems in Louisiana and Mississippi
Provided three specialized immigration training to improve direct legal services and project management
Conducted site visits for training and management consultation at all five participating project agencies

Recovery from the massive displacement and destruction brings with it social and political questions. Immigrants play a particularly important role in revitalizing the area.

However, because of the major changes this disaster has brought, many immigrants struggle to cope with legal questions. Many survivors and rebuilders:

Lost all their documentation, including immigration forms
Are out of touch with relevant government agencies
Fear accepting public assistance because they think they will be deemed a
"public charge"
Have not been paid for their labor or given proper health and safety training
Are uncertain about approaching the authorities for help

CLINIC is working with lawyers, social service providers, and labor leaders on the ground to reach immigrants there. It is developing ways to provide clinical support to those with claims against employers or in need of immigration legal help.

POST-KATRINA NEWSLETTERS

Issue 1: November 22, 2005

Issue 2: December 5, 2005

Issue 3: December 19, 2005

Issue 4: January 9, 2006

Issue 5: January 26, 2006

Issue 6: February 13, 2006

Issue 7: February 27, 2006

Issue 8: March 20, 2006

Issue 9: April 4, 2006

Issue 10: June 1, 2006

Issue 11: July 13, 2006