Division of Religious Immigration Services
MISSION
Addressing the Catholic Church's immigration needs competently one person at a time.
Background
As the number of foreign-born
Catholics immigrating to the United
States continues to steadily increase,
the number of U.S. men and women
entering the seminary or religious life
continues to steadily decrease. In
light of this reality, the Church is
bringing foreign-born religious
workers into the U.S. to address the
growing need for spiritual and
pastoral ministry to foreign-born and
U.S. Catholics.
The Division of Religious Immigration Services (DRIS) assists arch/dioceses and religious
institutes bringing foreign-born religious workers to the U.S. for education, formation, or
ministry. DRIS offers a variety of legal and educational services enabling CLINIC to fulfill
its mission to enhance, extend, and support the legal immigration work of the Catholic
Church.
MISSION
Addressing the Catholic Church's immigration needs competently one person at a time.
Background
As the number of foreign-born
Catholics immigrating to the United
States continues to steadily increase,
the number of U.S. men and women
entering the seminary or religious life
continues to steadily decrease. In
light of this reality, the Church is
bringing foreign-born religious
workers into the U.S. to address the
growing need for spiritual and
pastoral ministry to foreign-born and
U.S. Catholics.
The Division of Religious Immigration Services (DRIS) assists arch/dioceses and religious
institutes bringing foreign-born religious workers to the U.S. for education, formation, or
ministry. DRIS offers a variety of legal and educational services enabling CLINIC to fulfill
its mission to enhance, extend, and support the legal immigration work of the Catholic
Church.
415 Michigan Ave., NE
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
e-mail
(202) 635-5810
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
(202) 635-5810
You have my heartfelt thanks and admiration, too, for the professional way
you're taking care of Religious Immigrants - like myself - who long to serve
the US Church.
- Father John Saffirio, Italian-born Consolata Missionary
you're taking care of Religious Immigrants - like myself - who long to serve
the US Church.
- Father John Saffirio, Italian-born Consolata Missionary
Mission Accomplished!
Brother Xavier had been experiencing a calling to monastic life. Since there were no
English speaking monasteries in his home country, he entered the United States as a
visitor to discern whether he indeed had a calling within a specific monastic community.
After being accepted into the monastery, Brother Xavier went to the District Office of the
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to inquire about how to
change from “visitor” to “religious worker” status. He was given a form which he
completed and filed in a timely manner. Although he did not realize it until over a year
later when USCIS denied his application, the form he was given by the USCIS officer
was incorrect. As soon as he learned of the denial, he contacted the Division. One of
its attorneys was able to obtain a change of status for him, despite the previous denial
and the late filed application, by arguing that the USCIS’s failure to initially provide Brother
Xavier with the proper forms constituted the required “extraordinary circumstances.”
Brother Xavier had been experiencing a calling to monastic life. Since there were no
English speaking monasteries in his home country, he entered the United States as a
visitor to discern whether he indeed had a calling within a specific monastic community.
After being accepted into the monastery, Brother Xavier went to the District Office of the
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to inquire about how to
change from “visitor” to “religious worker” status. He was given a form which he
completed and filed in a timely manner. Although he did not realize it until over a year
later when USCIS denied his application, the form he was given by the USCIS officer
was incorrect. As soon as he learned of the denial, he contacted the Division. One of
its attorneys was able to obtain a change of status for him, despite the previous denial
and the late filed application, by arguing that the USCIS’s failure to initially provide Brother
Xavier with the proper forms constituted the required “extraordinary circumstances.”
Fr. Gary of St. Mary's of Piscataway
OUR MISSION LEGAL SERVICES EDUCATIONAL SERVICES INTERNSHIPS ADVOCACY CASE STATUS MEET OUR STAFF HOME Division of Religious Immigration Services Catholic Legal Immigration Network 415 Michigan Ave., NE Suite 150 Washington, DC 20017 Tel: (202) 756-5549 Fax: (202) 756-5547 |
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