Religious Immigration Services

About Religious Immigration Services

Religious workers from all over the world are called to the United States every year to fulfill their faith's mission, but the complexity and ever changing landscape of U.S. immigration law can make the journey difficult without guidance. This is where Religious Immigration Services can help.

Established in 1988 as part of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., Religious Immigration Services is one of the few groups in the United States specializing in religious immigration law. These experienced legal professionals work closely with religious organizations who wish to bring a religious worker to the United States.

Please contact us at RIS@cliniclegal.org or 301.565.4832.

Meet the Religious Immigration Services Team

Services We Offer

Quality Legal Services

Our services include, but are not limited to, assisting foreign-born religious workers with:

Visa Applications (R-1 Religious Worker Visa, F-1 Student Visa, etc.)
Extension/Change of Immigration Status
Travel Documents and Work Authorization
Lawful Permanent Residence (I-360 Petitions and I-485 Applications)
Citizenship (N-400 Applications)

Personalized Assistance

In addition, our attorneys also offer:

Orientations for religious workers and religious organizations on the U.S. immigration system
Consultations on specific immigration questions by phone or e-mail
Site visits to assist with complex immigration issues
Ongoing legal case management
Trainings for church personnel and staff on religious immigration law

Important Issues in Religious Worker Immigration Law

Non-Minister Sunset Provision Updates

The Non-Minister Sunset Provision is a temporary law that allows religious brothers, sisters, and foreign nationals working in a religious occupation to become permanent residents.

On Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, President Biden signed the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023” (H.R. 2617) into law, funding the federal government through Sept. 30, 2023. The Act also extends several immigration programs including the Non-Minister Sunset Provision. Thus, the Non-Minister Permanent Residence Program is extended until Sept. 30, 2023.

We will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as they arise. For more information, please contact your RIS attorney directly.

Status vs. Visa Documents for Religious Workers

This article explains the difference between immigration status documents and a visa. It explains which type of document is used to prove status and when a beneficiary is required to use a visa.

DACA Update: Supreme Court Issues Its Final Ruling June 18

On June 18, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its final ruling on Department of Homeland Security et al. V. Regents of the University of California et al., stating that the Trump administration failed to provide an adequate explanation for their termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, immigration program and it, therefore, should remain.

The Latest Executive Proclamation Explained - How it Effects Religious Workers

On June 22, 2020, President Trump issued an Executive Proclamation titled, “Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak.” This announcement follows the April 22, 2020, Proclamation suspending entry of immigrants for permanent residence and extends that Proclamation through Dec. 31, 2020.

A Juneteenth Message from RIS

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to proclaim the end of the Civil War and that those enslaved were now free. Word of the Emancipation Proclamation was not widely known in Texas up to that point, and it had not been enforced, even though it took effect two years earlier. The day became known as “Juneteenth” and for many it is a day of remembrance, freedom and celebration of Black culture.

Updates on USCIS Processing Times

This article provides the current processing times for the I-129 and I-360 petitions as well as the I-485, I-765, and I-131 applications. This article also explains how to check the pending processing times for the petitions listed above and case status.

USCIS Removes Pre-Adjudication Site Inspection Requirement

This article provides an update to the pre-adjudication site inspection requirement applicable to special immigrant and nonimmigrant religious worker petitions.

Travel Advisory - March 12, 2020

Because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, on March 11, 2020, President Trump issued a new travel proclamation suspending entry of all immigrants and non-immigrants who were physically present in the following 26 European countries. The countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. If you are physically present in any of these countries during a 14-day period preceding your entry or attempted entry into the U.S., you will not be permitted to enter the U.S.

Travel Advisory - March 4, 2020

As you are most likely are aware, the coronavirus (COVID-19) is becoming a more immediate health concern in the U.S. As such, the government has already begun limiting visitors to the U.S. (non-U.S. citizens) who may have recently traveled to the following countries: China, S. Korea, Iran and Italy.

About Religious Immigration Services

Please contact us at RIS@cliniclegal.org or 301.565.4832.

Services We Offer

Quality Legal Services

Personalized Assistance

Important Issues in Religious Worker Immigration Law

Non-Minister Sunset Provision Updates

Status vs. Visa Documents for Religious Workers

DACA Update: Supreme Court Issues Its Final Ruling June 18

The Latest Executive Proclamation Explained - How it Effects Religious Workers

A Juneteenth Message from RIS

Updates on USCIS Processing Times

USCIS Removes Pre-Adjudication Site Inspection Requirement

Travel Advisory - March 12, 2020

Travel Advisory - March 4, 2020

Promoting the Dignity of Immigrants With Affordable Legal Expertise

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About Religious Immigration Services

Please contact us at RIS@cliniclegal.org or 301.565.4832.

Services We Offer

Quality Legal Services

Personalized Assistance

Important Issues in Religious Worker Immigration Law

Non-Minister Sunset Provision Updates

Promoting the Dignity of Immigrants With Affordable Legal Expertise

Support a Scholarship

About the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.

Stay Up-to-Date

Use Your Affiliate Benefits

Additional Items

National Office

Connect with Us on Social Media