Free services offered for immigrants

PHILLIPSBURG – Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen (CCDOM), is offering immigrants who want to apply to become a United States citizen, consultations and a free companion. This free offer is available until September. The normal cost for the service is $550.

In October 2020, CCDOM began offering outreach and information sessions regarding a free naturalization program for permanent residents who wish to become U.S. citizens. The sessions are being offered virtually and in person and in both English and Spanish.   

Sponsored by CCDOM’s Immigration Services Program, the information sessions are being held as part of its mission to provide quality, low-cost services to the needy. On April 18, at St. Phillip and St. James Parish the second of these listening sessions was held. The goal of all the sessions is to put at ease people who are struggling to decide if they want to start the process of neutralization/immigration, which is long and can be frightening for those going it alone.

At the session, Adriana Molina Guillen, an immigration counselor with Catholic Charities, explained what was needed to qualify to become a citizen.

In an interview with “The Catholic Spirit,” she spoke about how Catholic Charities helps immigrants. “They can come to our offices to receive the help they need. They can make appointments with us for the free consultation. We will review all their documents and work with them to file the application and help them to prepare for the process,” she said.

Those interested will receive the help needed to prepare for the test and the interviews which are required. They will also be taught what they should be aware of and any documentation they will need to produce, she added.

“We want them to feel comfortable with the process. I want them to be confident about the how, when and what they will need to do as they are going through the process,” Molina Guillen stated.

The prep work before an interview with Immigration can take up to two years. “It’s a long process. It’s a journey, but we are together with them. Immigration and naturalization laws change quite often so it is helpful to have someone working with them who knows the laws and the changes,” Molina Guillen noted.

Jose Miguel Suarez, Guillen’s husband, is a member of the current Diocese of Metuchen diaconate class for men of Hispanic descent. He joins his wife when she visits the parish of any of his classmates “to support her and my classmates who spread the word [about the immigration program] to their parish.”

He said he networks to spread the word among the communities about the program.

“Any immigrant is eligible,” he stated. “We all have different parishes, but we all have the same need. The beauty of this service is that you can learn the things that you are not familiar with and begin to realize their importance.”    

Paul Flor, a member of St. Phillip and St. James Parish, is also in the diaconate class.

“I have been a member of the Spanish community here for over 20 years,” he said. “I have been helping to spread the word to others in the parish about the great services being offered by Catholic Charities. People feel better when it comes from someone they know and trust.”   

“The deacons are my networking system for the presentations,” said Guillen. “It will be faster to reach the community if you already know the people and the deacons are a great help. If I have to do it myself it would be a longer journey to reach them.”   

Guillen said there are about 30 parishes in the diocese with immigrant populations. Catholic Charities provides several low-cost immigration legal services and will continue holding meetings in different sections of the diocese.

“Little by little the parishes are opening up to house meeting like this one at St. Philip and St. James. We are getting between 10-20 people at each meeting which is great. We would like to be able to help as many people as possible,” he said.    

Catholic Charities has also partnered with Literacy NJ, an organization offering free citizenship classes. At the beginning of each quarter, they attend Literacy NJ classes to explain their legal services and answer any questions the students may have.    

For information about Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen’s Immigration Services, call (732) 214-8743