- immigration expertise
- policy analysis
- extensive facts and figures
Immigration Counselling Ok'd
By Clay Baybour
Charlotte Observer
Jan. 25, 2008
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Latino immigrants can now turn to an old friend for low-cost help in
navigating the long and often confusing process of becoming a U.S. citizen.
The Department of Homeland Security officially recognized the Latin American Coalition this
week, certifying the agency to help immigrants with a wide array of immigration concerns.
The nonprofit has served as a cultural hub for many Latinos since its inception in 1990,
helping people network, learn English and find jobs. But if someone needed immigration help,
they were usually pointed elsewhere.
Now the coalition can steer those seeking citizenship through the process and can even
represent them in certain immigration cases.
"It's sort of like the Better Business Bureau seal of approval," Executive Director Angeles
Ortega-Moore said of the recognition. "This lets people know they can come to us and trust
that we will be able to help them."
The agency can help any immigrant, regardless of nationality. But it is expected that most of
those seeking help with be Latino.
According to the most recent statistics, there are about 600,000 Latinos in North Carolina,
80,000 in Charlotte alone.
The immigrant population is often vulnerable, wrestling with a limited understanding of
English and no real knowledge of the legal system. While some consultants -- often called
notarios -- are notary publics and provide a legitimate service, others have bilked immigrants
for hundreds of dollars by steering them down avenues of residency that are long shots at
best.
"You see people creeping out of the woodwork, often with no real experience in the
immigration process, taking advantage of people and charging a lot of money for their
services," said Adriana Galvez Taylor, the Coalition's manager of immigrant rights.
As a part of the agency's recognition, Taylor has received a Board of Immigration Appeals
accreditation that allows her to represent clients in certain hearings.
According to law, only lawyers, law students working with lawyers and people with BIA
accreditation are allowed to help in such situations. The Coalition is the only nonprofit in the
city to have such a distinction and it is one of about 14 in the Carolinas.
The Latino explosion is causing that to change. Jack Holmgren, a legalization attorney with
the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, said he has watched as the number of BIA
accredited organizations nationwide have grown from 300 eight years ago to more than 630
now.
"It is a dire need, absolutely," he said. "You have a new gateway community like Charlotte
and that means there are many bad operators out there taking advantage of people's
desperation. This is how you stop that."
The Latin American Coalition
4949-B Albemarle Road
Charlotte, NC 28205
704-941-6734
By Clay Baybour
Charlotte Observer
Jan. 25, 2008
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Latino immigrants can now turn to an old friend for low-cost help in
navigating the long and often confusing process of becoming a U.S. citizen.
The Department of Homeland Security officially recognized the Latin American Coalition this
week, certifying the agency to help immigrants with a wide array of immigration concerns.
The nonprofit has served as a cultural hub for many Latinos since its inception in 1990,
helping people network, learn English and find jobs. But if someone needed immigration help,
they were usually pointed elsewhere.
Now the coalition can steer those seeking citizenship through the process and can even
represent them in certain immigration cases.
"It's sort of like the Better Business Bureau seal of approval," Executive Director Angeles
Ortega-Moore said of the recognition. "This lets people know they can come to us and trust
that we will be able to help them."
The agency can help any immigrant, regardless of nationality. But it is expected that most of
those seeking help with be Latino.
According to the most recent statistics, there are about 600,000 Latinos in North Carolina,
80,000 in Charlotte alone.
The immigrant population is often vulnerable, wrestling with a limited understanding of
English and no real knowledge of the legal system. While some consultants -- often called
notarios -- are notary publics and provide a legitimate service, others have bilked immigrants
for hundreds of dollars by steering them down avenues of residency that are long shots at
best.
"You see people creeping out of the woodwork, often with no real experience in the
immigration process, taking advantage of people and charging a lot of money for their
services," said Adriana Galvez Taylor, the Coalition's manager of immigrant rights.
As a part of the agency's recognition, Taylor has received a Board of Immigration Appeals
accreditation that allows her to represent clients in certain hearings.
According to law, only lawyers, law students working with lawyers and people with BIA
accreditation are allowed to help in such situations. The Coalition is the only nonprofit in the
city to have such a distinction and it is one of about 14 in the Carolinas.
The Latino explosion is causing that to change. Jack Holmgren, a legalization attorney with
the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, said he has watched as the number of BIA
accredited organizations nationwide have grown from 300 eight years ago to more than 630
now.
"It is a dire need, absolutely," he said. "You have a new gateway community like Charlotte
and that means there are many bad operators out there taking advantage of people's
desperation. This is how you stop that."
The Latin American Coalition
4949-B Albemarle Road
Charlotte, NC 28205
704-941-6734
415 Michigan Ave., NE
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
e-mail me
(202) 635-5810
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
e-mail me
(202) 635-5810
media inquiries: Melissa Williams
Public Affairs & Media Relations Officer
(202) 635-5810
Public Affairs & Media Relations Officer
(202) 635-5810
NATIONAL PROGRAMS | LEGALIZATION | ADVOCACY | RELIGIOUS IMMIGRATION SERVICES | ADMINISTRATION & DEVELOPMENT | TRAINING & TECHNICAL SUPPORT
HOME | CONTACT US | E-MAIL LIST | DONATE NOW
