SERVING OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST

IS A KEY COMPONENT OF OUR CATHOLIC MISSION

Since its establishment, the mission of the Immigration Services Department has been to provide the highest-quality legal services, education, and representation to the region's immigrant community, ensuring these services are delivered with compassion and respect for each individual's dignity. By offering these affordable services, the department aims to reunite families and empower members of the immigrant community to become self-sufficient and active participants in the broader community.

We are dedicated to assisting and guiding clients through the immigration process in an efficient and professionally caring manner. It advocates for and aids all qualified individuals in the following areas:

• Family-based immigration petitions
• Adjustment of Status
• Removal of Conditions
• Naturalization/Citizenship
• Renewal/Replacement of Lawful Permanent Resident Cards ("Green Cards")
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of certain countries suffering from natural disasters (LIMITED - Call for information)
• Petitions under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) - legal relief for victims of domestic violence and other crimes
• U-Visa processing for victims of violent crimes
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) (LIMITED - Call for information)
• Document translation

Consultations for new clients are by appointment or by walk-ins on Thursdays starting at 9 a.m. Please call (361) 884-0651, ext. 228, for more information or to schedule an appointment.

A $25 consultation fee (cash or money order only) is charged per consultation. This fee includes a review of client eligibility and a discussion of the "next steps" for processing the case. In most cases, every person is required to come in for an initial consultation before a case is opened.

Department legal fees to proceed with a case will vary according to a written fee schedule depending on the type of service needed. 

Please Note: USCIS (government) fees are separate from legal fees; USCIS fee waivers are available for many processes upon individual qualification. 

Recognition/Accreditation
The Immigration Services Department is recognized and accredited by the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Access Programs (OLAP). Attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives are authorized to provide legal counsel to immigrants on their eligibility for immigration benefits under current immigration law. 

Affiliation
The Immigration Department is an affiliate member of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) and the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops.

Family-Based Visa Petitions
United States Citizens can petition for a spouse, children (including stepchildren under the age of 18), parents, brothers, and sisters. A Lawful Permanent Resident can petition for a spouse and unmarried children.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
VAWA (available to women and men) protects the victim(s) of abuse by allowing abused/battered persons and/or their children to self-petition for permanent residence without the danger of relying on the abuser's participation in the process.