ILSI provides a broad range of immigration services, including the following case types:

Political Asylum:

Many individuals who come to the United States are afraid to return to their home country because they will face serious harm due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.  A sizable portion of ILSI's work is dedicated to helping victims of persecution, torture and/or violence to apply for asylum here in the United States.

Adjustment of Status for Refugees:

One year after an individual has entered the United States under refugee status, he or she becomes eligible to apply for Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status.  ILSI can assist refugees with this process, as well as help them to bring their family to the United States.

Removal Defense:

It is not uncommon for immigrants to find themselves in removal (deportation) proceedings for being "out of status."   As a part of ILSI's service to the immigrant community we intentionally seek out individuals in deportation proceedings by visiting local detention centers and offering free or low-cost legal representation to immigrants who are detained in immigration custody.

Family Reunification:

Many immigrants are eligible to petition for certain family members to come to the United States which allows for the reunification of families.  ILSI helps to guide immigrants through this often confusing and complicated process.

Naturalization:

Naturalization is a term that describes the process of becoming an American citizen.  This process can be confusing and intimidating to an individual who is not familiar with our legal system.  ILSI provides assistance to immigrants with every aspect of becoming a naturalized citizen.

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA):

Many immigrants used to be faced with a difficult choice:  to either remain in an abusive relationship with a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or to loose their immigration status.  The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was created to protect immigrants (either male or female) who were in abusive relationships and their children by allowing them to retain their immigration status even if they decide to divorce the abusive spouse who was sponsoring their immigration petition.  ILSI provides legal representation to immigrants who petition to retain their status under this law. 

Human Trafficking:

Congress passed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA) in order to provide protection to individuals who have been victimized in the most severe fashion.  VTVPA also enables victims of human trafficking to receive federal and state assistance.   This law allows victims of human trafficking to remain in the United States temporarily and to eventualy apply for Legal Permanent Residence.  ILSI can provide representation to immigrants who qualify for protection under this act.

Employment Authorization:

Many immigrants are eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) while their applications for permanent status are pending or after their applications for certain temporary status have been approved.  An EAD authorizes an immigrant to obtain employment thereby increasing their ability to support themselves while they are in the United States.

***ILSI does not provide services for non-immigrant (temporary) visa  issues (such as student visas, visitor visas, temporary work visas) or employment-based immigration applications.