CPC & Partners Expand Legal Services During Uncertain Time for Immigrants

Mar

On March 2, 2017, CPC announced the expansion of our free legal services in partnership with Immigrant Justice Corps, New York Legal Assistant Group, GMHC, MFY Legal Services and Advocates for Justice. During the press conference, Advocates for Justice was introduced as CPC's latest legal program partner providing consultation and, for the first time for CPC, representation if needed. Advocates for Justice will be providing consultation and representation on housing, employment and immigration issues for all New Yorkers.

These new services expand on those already provided legal services at CPC community centers in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. CPC's legal partners have helped almost 1,000 people a year through aiding in the completion of paperwork and applications, revision of documents, and personal consultations for issues regarding immigration, naturalization, housing, employment, entitlements and benefits.

“The Chinese-American community is no stranger to anti-immigration laws. Given our community’s history, it is imperative for CPC to champion immigrants of all backgrounds during these challenging times,” said CPC President & CEO Wayne Ho. “It is with pride that we announce these new legal services and that we will continue to work to ensure that the rights of everyone in the community are upheld. With these new services, CPC will deepen our commitment to promoting a safe space for New Yorkers of all immigrant, racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, and religious backgrounds.”

All legal services are provided by CPC's program collaborating law partners and are free-of-charge.

Legal Services at CPC Provided by our Legal Partners*

Advocates for Justice: Advocates for Justice provides one-on-one confidential consultation and representation (if applicable) on housing, employment and immigration issues. Advocates for Justice representatives are present at the CPC Manhattan Community Center every Friday starting March 8, 2017 from 4PM - 6PM. Consultations are by appointment and can be conducted in English or Mandarin.
Immigrant Justice Corps. (IJC): IJC Community Fellows screen individuals to determine eligibility for immigration benefits, assistance filing applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), green card applications and renewals, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), naturalization, work permit, U Visas and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions. If necessary, referrals to trusted immigration specialists Consultations by Community Fellows are free and done under the supervision of Immigrant Justice Corps immigration attorneys. IJC Community Fellows are present at CPC Brooklyn Community Center Mondays and Fridays from 9AM - 5PM. IJC Community Fellows are present at CPC Queens Community Center Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:45AM - 4:30PM. Consultations are by appointment and can be conducted in English, Cantonese or Mandarin.
Manhattan Legal Services: Manhattan Legal Services provides housing attorneys for housing issues. Representatives are present at Manhattan Community Center the first Thursday of every month, by appointment. Translation for Cantonese or Mandarin is available if needed.
MFY Legal Services: MFY Legal Services provides free legal assistance with government benefits in English and Chinese. They assist individuals in obtaining Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability (SSD), SNAP (Food Stamps), Medicaid/Medicare and Public Assistance (PA). MFY's legal team may be able to assist if your benefits have been stopped or reduced and you don’t know how to get them restored, your application was denied and you do not know why or if you need a fair hearing to get your benefits restored. Representatives from MFY Legal Services are present at CPC Queens Community Center the first Thursday every month by appointment.
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG): NYLAG provides individuals with assistance in filing applications for adjustment of status, citizenship and naturalization, employment authorization, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), asylee and refugee assistance, immigration assistance for survivors of domestic violence and relative petitions. NYLAG representatives are present at CPC Brooklyn Community Center Tuesdays 9AM - 5PM and Wednesdays 9AM - 1PM. NYLAG representatives are present at CPC Manhattan Community Center Thursdays 9AM - 5PM and Fridays 9AM - 12PM. All consultations are to be made by appointment. Translation for Cantonese or Mandarin is available if needed.

CPC staff also makes referrals to NYLAG representatives for custody and visitation, child and spousal support, divorce, orders of protection, Domestic Violence-related immigration relief, and ACS investigations.
GMHC: CPC provides referrals to GMHC. GMHC provides individuals with assistance in filing applications for adjustment of status, citizenship and naturalization, employment authorization, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), asylee and refugee assistance, immigration assistance for survivors of domestic violence and relative petitions.

_{*CPC's legal partners do not commit to take on every case brought to them during their legal clinics. Attorneys will gather information and can provide basic legal advice. They will then determine, after evaluating each situation, whether it is appropriate to take on a case or refer the client to an appropriate pro bono attorney or organization.}

For more information on services provided by CPC's legal partners or to make an appointment please call:

CPC Brooklyn Community Services: 718-492-0409
CPC Manhattan Community Services: 212-941-0030
CPC Queens Community Services: 718-358-8899

Click here for more information on CPC's Community Services programs

Press Coverage:

English Media Outlets

Click here for Brooklyn News Service coverage

Click here for New York Nonprofit Media coverage

NY1 aired coverage of the press conference on March 2 and March 3, 2017.

WNYC (NPR)'s "The Takeaway" aired coverage of the press conference on March 2, 2017.

Chinese Media Outlets

Sinovision: Click here for Sinovision Video 1 | Click here for Sinovision Video 2

World Journal: Click here to read | Click here to watch

Click here for China Press coverage