MWLS’ Immigration Unit serves immigrants by helping them to secure a permanent immigration status in the United States and keep their families together. MWLS helps immigrant adult and juvenile survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes to apply for immigration statuses in the United States.

Specifically, MWLS’ Immigration Unit represents immigrants before the Immigration Court and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) in the following types of cases:

• Applications for Asylum based on fear of persecution on account of political opinion, religion, national origin, race, and/or particular social group such as members of the LGBTQ community and individuals who have suffered domestic violence, sexual assault and other similar crimes in the immigrant’s country of origin.
• Petitions for eligible immigrant juveniles who are under twenty-one (21) years old and who have been abused, abandoned and/or neglected by their parent(s)
• Self-Petitions for immigrant spouses, children and parents of abusive U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
• U Visa petitions for victims of certain crimes in the United States, including domestic violence and sexual assault
• T Visa petitions for victims of human trafficking in the United States.
• Other forms of humanitarian immigration benefits such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

In addition to direct representation services, the Immigration Unit conducts outreach to and maintains relationships with community based organizations that serve low income immigrants in the Metrowest area. Our immigration advocates provide “Know Your Rights” trainings and on-going immigration legal clinics to immigrant and community based organizations.

Immigrants who are eligible for MWLS’ Services and who are seeking legal assistance with their own immigration process may call MWLS for an intake at (508) 620-1830. All of MWLS legal services are free to eligible individuals.

Helpful Links

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS

• Mass Legal Help
  Massachusetts legal aid programs put together this website to help you find practical information about your legal rights.  For example, information about issues regarding health and mental health, Special Education services, immigration and many more areas.

GOVERNMENT

• United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• United States Department of State
• United States Travel (Passports/Visas)
• Immigration Court

OTHER IMMIGRATION WEBSITES

• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
• Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
• National Immigration Law Center (NILC)