TPS RESOURCES
The following information was compiled by the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) in an effort to centralize information about agencies, law firms, and law schools responding to the tragedy in Haiti and the designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This document is fluid in that we can add, correct, and remove information. The information contained on this list is by no means exhaustive. If you would like to add upcoming TPS events to this list or otherwise have a question about the information on this list, please contact Tom Shea at The New York Immigration Coalition at . I provide this document in Microsoft Word format to make it easier for people to cut and paste information for purposes of creating their own resource directories.
Section I: Upcoming TPS Events
Section II: List of authorized nonprofit immigration legal service organizations
Section III: List of immigration attorneys in private practice
Section IV: List of nonprofit agencies willing to host free TPS legal clinics
Section V: List of law firms and law schools seeking to partner with CBOs to conduct free TPS legal clinics
PLEASE DO NOT REFER HAITIAN NATIONALS SEEKING LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LEGAL CLINICS UNLESS YOU KNOW THAT THE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE PROVIDING THE SERVICES HAVE BEEN TRAINED ON TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS (TPS) AND ARE OPERATING UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY OR A BIA ACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVE . I am concerned that agencies will have untrained staff and volunteers helping people to complete and file TPS applications which in turn could end up putting people in removal proceedings if they are ineligible for TPS.
EVEN IF THE AGENCY IS WELL-MEANING IN TRYING TO RESPOND TO THE DEMAND TO APPLY FOR TPS, YOU DO NOT WANT TO SEND PEOPLE TO AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS NOT COMPETENT TO PROVIDE IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES. THIS “TPS RESOURCES” LIST CONTAINS A SECTION OF AUTHORIZED IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT ARE WILLING TO ASSIST HAITIAN NATIONALS TO APPLY FOR TPS.
I am also concerned about what will happen with Haitian nationals who receive services through group TPS application workshops. If your organization is offering group TPS application workshops (i.e., helping people complete TPS applications in a group setting), please make sure that you provide them clear guidance about where they can go to receive immigration legal assistance should they receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) from USCIS after they file their TPS applications. Most people who receive immigration legal services through a group application workshop will probably leave the workshop without having a legal representative. If they apply for TPS and receive a notice from USCIS in the mail, they might not understand what to do with the notice (especially if they do not read English).
If you do not respond to an RFE or a NOID within the time period specified, the USCIS most likely will deny the TPS application. Therefore, it is essential that people who leave group application workshops and who do not currently have legal representation, receive clear guidance on where to go to obtain competent immigration legal services after they apply for TPS (i.e., give them a list of authorized and reputable nonprofit immigration legal service organizations and/or reputable immigration attorneys).
TPS RESOURCES
Haitian TPS Hotlines:
The Legal Aid Society has a TPS Hotline for Haitian nationals.
Call: 1-888-284-2772. You can find out about upcoming TPS clinics offered by the Legal Aid Society andobtain free comprehensive advice and referrals from the Legal Aid Society’s Immigration Law Unit.
The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) has a TPS hotline for Haitian nationals, where you can find out about upcoming TPS clinics offered by NYLAG. Please call 1-212-946-0351 or email .
Section I: Upcoming TPS Events
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 – Free TPS Application Assistance Event - 10:00am-6:00pm
Hosted by: Bureau of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (BRIA)/OTDA
This is an on-going clinic that will be held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until July 20th -- during the TPS registration period. Attorneys from NYLAG will be on site Wednesdays from 1:00-5:00 pm. An attorney from CUNY Citizenship Now! will be on site Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Location: Haitian Family Earthquake Resource Center at the Bedford Armory, 1579 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 (between Union and President Streets) (By subway: 2, 3, 4, or 5 to Franklin Avenue)
Additional Information: The Haitian Earthquake Resource Center (HERC) provides information and referral to the Haitian community regarding immigration issues and emergency assistance, and is primarily staffed by the Immigrant Community Liaison Unit of BRIA. USCIS Information Officers will also be stationed at the Center to assist individuals to check on the status of a pending application.
Contact: To obtain information about the Center, please call 311 or for inquiries about TPS clinic sessions, please call NYLAG’s TPS hotline 212-946-0351 or email: .
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 – TPS Application Assistance Event–9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
This is an on-going clinic that will be held every Monday and Tuesday until July 20th -- during the TPS registration period. No appointment is necessary.
Hosted by: CAMBA Legal Services
Location: 2211 Church Ave, 3rd Fl Room 301 Brooklyn, New York
Contact: Madeline La Forgia at and (718) 940-6311
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 – Free TPS Application Assistance Event - 10:00am-6:00pm
Hosted by: Bureau of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (BRIA)/OTDA and New York Legal Assistance Group.
This is an on-going clinic that will be held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until July 20th -- during the TPS registration period. Attorneys from NYLAG will be on site Wednesdays from 1:00-5:00 pm. An attorney from CUNY Citizenship Now! will be on site Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Location: Haitian Family Earthquake Resource Center at the Bedford Armory, 1579 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 (between Union and President Streets) (By subway: 2, 3, 4, or 5 to Franklin Avenue)
Additional Information: The Haitian Earthquake Resource Center (HERC) provides information and referral to the Haitian community regarding immigration issues and emergency assistance, and is primarily staffed by the Immigrant Community Liaison Unit of BRIA. USCIS Information Officers will also be stationed at the Center to assist individuals to check on the status of a pending application.
Contact: To obtain information about the Center, please call 311 or for inquiries about TPS clinic sessions, please call NYLAG’s TPS hotline 212-946-0351 or email: .
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 -3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
On-going Consultations for Haitian TPS Applications every Wednesday from 3:00 to 6:00
Host: Catholic Charities Community Services for the Archdiocese of New York
Location:1011 First Avenue, 12th Floor, NY, NY (between 55th and 56th Streets)
Contact: (212) 419-3700 (intake number)
Thursday, June 17, 2010- Free Immigration Legal Assistance - 2:00pm-6:00pm
This will be an on-going legal clinic every Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Hosted by:Lutheran Social Services of New York and HaitianEarthquakeFamilySupportCenter sponsored by NYDIS, Brooklyn Community Foundation and Red Cross
Location:Haitian Family Support Center, 1783 Flatbush Ave (b/t Ave J & K)
Brooklyn, NY 11210 -- (917) 284-7938 – You must call to make an appointment
Thursday, June 17, 2010 – Free TPS Application Assistance Event - 10:00am-6:00pm
Hosted by: Bureau of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (BRIA)/OTDA
This is an on-going clinic that will be held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until July 20th -- during the TPS registration period. Attorneys from NYLAG will be on site Wednesdays from 1:00-5:00 pm. An attorney from CUNY Citizenship Now! will be on site Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Location: Haitian Family Earthquake Resource Center at the Bedford Armory, 1579 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 (between Union and President Streets) (By subway: 2, 3, 4, or 5 to Franklin Avenue)
Additional Information: The Haitian Earthquake Resource Center (HERC) provides information and referral to the Haitian community regarding immigration issues and emergency assistance, and is primarily staffed by the Immigrant Community Liaison Unit of BRIA. USCIS Information Officers will also be stationed at the Center to assist individuals to check on the status of a pending application.
Contact: To obtain information about the Center, please call 311 or for inquiries about TPS clinic sessions, please call NYLAG’s TPS hotline 212-946-0351 or email: .
Thursday, June 17, 2010 – TPS Application Assistance Event - 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is an on-going clinic that will be held every Thursday until July 20th -- during the TPS registration period.
Hosted by: New York City Health and Hospital Corporation and Legal Health (a division of New York Legal Assistance Group). There will be at least three attorneys onsite at each clinic to provide free legal services.
Location: Queens Hospital Center, 82-68 164th Street, The Pavilion, Ground Floor, Jamaica, Queens. Appointments for the Legal Health clinic at the QueensHospitalCenter are available on a walk-in basis. Clients should sign in at the ground floor of the Pavilion or call (718) 883-3858 or (718) 883-7537.
Friday, June 18, 2010 – Free TPS Registration Event – 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This will be an on-going TPS clinic on Fridays in April from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Hosted by: The Legal Aid Society
Location: Council Member Mathieu Eugene’s Office, 123 Linden Blvd., Brooklyn, NY.
Contact: Allison Baker at
Friday, June18, 2010 – TPS Application Assistance Event (9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
This is an on-going clinic that will be held every Friday until July 20th -- during the TPS registration period.
Hosted by: New York City Health and Hospital Corporation and LegalHealth (a division of New York Legal Assistance Group). There will be at least three attorneys onsite at each clinic to provide free legal services.
Location: KingsCountyHospitalCenter, in the first floor adult walk-in clinic in the “E” building at 451 Clarkson Avenue between East 38 and East 39 Streets.
Appointments for the Legal Health clinic at KingsCounty are available on a walk-in basis. Clients should sign in at the AdultWalk-InCenter reception area, E Building, 1st Floor.
Contact: Cecelia Volk, Esq. at
Saturday, June 19, 2010– TPS Application Assistance Event –11:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m.
Hosted by: HILAPand Catholic Charities Brooklyn
Location:St. Ignatius Parish, 1101 Carroll Street in CrownHeights
Contact: Marianne Yang, Esq., at 718-254-0700 x.167;
Monday, June 21, 2010 – TPS Application Assistance Event–10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
This is an on-going clinic that will be held everyMonday from April 5th through July 12th -- during the TPS registration period.
Hosted by: HILAP--Haitian Immigration Legal Assistance Program--a partnershipamong Brooklyn Defender Services, Brooklyn Bar Volunteer Lawyers Project, Brooklyn Bar Association, and Brooklyn Women's Bar Association.
Location: 123 Linden Boulevard, between Bedford and Rogers, Brooklyn. No appointments necessary. Clients may call (888) 898-0700 ext. 161 for more information.
Monday, June 21, 2010 – TPS Application Assistance Event-9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is an on-going clinic that will be held every Monday until July 20th -- during the TPS registration period.
Hosted by: New York City Health and Hospital Corporation and Legal Health (a division of New York Legal Assistance Group). There will be at least three attorneys onsite at each clinic to provide free legal services.
Location: BellevueHospital, 462 First Avenue, Manhattan, Ambulatory Care Pavilion Appointments for the Legal Health clinic at BellevueHospital are available on a walk-in basis. Clients should come to Conference Room 4057, Ambulatory Care Pavilion, 4th Floor.
Contact: Norma Tinubu, Esq. at
Monday, June 21, 2010 – TPS Application Assistance Event–9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
This is an on-going clinic that will be held every Monday and Tuesday until July 20th -- during the TPS registration period. No appointment is necessary.
Hosted by: CAMBA Legal Services
Location: 2211 Church Ave, 3rd Fl Room 301 Brooklyn, New York
Contact: Madeline La Forgia at and (718) 940-6311
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 – Free TPS Application Assistance – 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Must be income eligible for HCC’s services. Will see people from all 5 boroughs.
Hosted by: Housing Conservation Coordinators, Inc. (HCC)
Call to make an appointment – will accept walk-ins if we’re not completely booked: (212) 541-5996
Location:777 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY10019
Contact: Shawn Blumberg, Esq., Staff Attorney,
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 – TPS Application Assistance Event–9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
This is an on-going clinic that will be held every Monday and Tuesday until July 20th -- during the TPS registration period. No appointment is necessary.
Hosted by: CAMBA Legal Services
Location: 2211 Church Ave, 3rd Fl Room 301 Brooklyn, New York
Contact: Madeline La Forgia at and (718) 940-6311
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 -3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
On-going Consultations for Haitian TPS Applications every Wednesday from 3:00 to 6:00
Host: Catholic Charities Community Services for the Archdiocese of New York
Location:1011 First Avenue, 12th Floor, NY, NY (between 55th and 56th Streets)
Contact: (212) 419-3700 (intake number)
Thursday, June 24, 2010- Free Immigration Legal Assistance - 2:00pm-6:00pm
This will be an on-going legal clinic every Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Hosted by:Lutheran Social Services of New York and HaitianEarthquakeFamilySupportCenter sponsored by NYDIS, Brooklyn Community Foundation and Red Cross
Location:Haitian Family Support Center, 1783 Flatbush Ave (b/t Ave J & K)
Brooklyn, NY 11210 -- (917) 284-7938 – You must call to make an appointment
Thursday, June 24, 2010 – TPS Application Assistance Event - 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is an on-going clinic that will be held every Thursday until July 20th -- during the TPS registration period.
Hosted by: New York City Health and Hospital Corporation and Legal Health (a division of New York Legal Assistance Group). There will be at least three attorneys onsite at each clinic to provide free legal services.
Location: Queens Hospital Center, 82-68 164th Street, The Pavilion, Ground Floor, Jamaica, Queens. Appointments for the Legal Health clinic at the QueensHospitalCenter are available on a walk-in basis. Clients should sign in at the ground floor of the Pavilion or call (718) 883-3858 or (718) 883-7537.
Friday, June 25, 2010 – Free TPS Registration Event – 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This will be an on-going TPS clinic on Fridays in April from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Hosted by: The Legal Aid Society
Location: Council Member Mathieu Eugene’s Office, 123 Linden Blvd., Brooklyn, NY.
Contact: Allison Baker at
Friday, June25, 2010 – TPS Application Assistance Event (9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
This is an on-going clinic that will be held every Friday until July 20th -- during the TPS registration period.
Hosted by: New York City Health and Hospital Corporation and LegalHealth (a division of New York Legal Assistance Group). There will be at least three attorneys onsite at each clinic to provide free legal services.
Location: KingsCountyHospitalCenter, in the first floor adult walk-in clinic in the “E” building at 451 Clarkson Avenue between East 38 and East 39 Streets.
Appointments for the Legal Health clinic at KingsCounty are available on a walk-in basis. Clients should sign in at the AdultWalk-InCenter reception area, E Building, 1st Floor.
Contact: Cecelia Volk, Esq. at
Saturday, June 26, 2010—TPS Application Assistance Event-- 11:00 to 3:00 PM
Location: MedgarEversCollege
(more details to follow, including specific location information)
Contact: Tamara R. Bloom Esq. at
Saturday, June 26, 2010 – TPS Application Assistance Event–10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Hosted by: CAMBA Legal Services
Location: 2211 Church Ave, 3rd Fl Room 301 Brooklyn, New York
Contact: Madeline La Forgia and (718) 940-6311
Monday, June 28, 2010 – TPS Application Assistance Event–10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
This is an on-going clinic that will be held everyMonday from April 5th through July 12th -- during the TPS registration period.
Hosted by: HILAP--Haitian Immigration Legal Assistance Program--a partnershipamong Brooklyn Defender Services, Brooklyn Bar Volunteer Lawyers Project, Brooklyn Bar Association, and Brooklyn Women's Bar Association.
Location: 123 Linden Boulevard, between Bedford and Rogers, Brooklyn. No appointments necessary. Clients may call (888) 898-0700 ext. 161 for more information.
Monday, June 28, 2010 – TPS Application Assistance Event - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is an on-going clinic that will be held every Monday until July 20th -- during the TPS registration period.
Hosted by: New York City Health and Hospital Corporation and Legal Health (a division of New York Legal Assistance Group). There will be at least three attorneys onsite at each clinic to provide free legal services.
Location: BellevueHospital, 462 First Avenue, Manhattan, Ambulatory Care Pavilion Appointments for the Legal Health clinic at BellevueHospital are available on a walk-in basis. Clients should come to Conference Room 4057, Ambulatory Care Pavilion, 4th Floor.
Contact: Norma Tinubu, Esq. at
Monday, June 28, 2010 – TPS Application Assistance Event–9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
This is an on-going clinic that will be held every Monday and Tuesday until July 20th -- during the TPS registration period. No appointment is necessary.
Hosted by: CAMBA Legal Services
Location: 2211 Church Ave, 3rd Fl Room 301 Brooklyn, New York
Contact: Madeline La Forgia at and (718) 940-6311
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 – Free TPS Application Assistance – 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Must be income eligible for HCC’s services. Will see people from all 5 boroughs.
Hosted by: Housing Conservation Coordinators, Inc. (HCC)
Call to make an appointment – will accept walk-ins if we’re not completely booked: (212) 541-5996
Location:777 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY10019
Contact: Shawn Blumberg, Esq., Staff Attorney,
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 – TPS Application Assistance Event–9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
This is an on-going clinic that will be held every Monday and Tuesday until July 20th -- during the TPS registration period. No appointment is necessary.
Hosted by: CAMBA Legal Services
Location: 2211 Church Ave, 3rd Fl Room 301 Brooklyn, New York
Contact: Madeline La Forgia at and (718) 940-6311
Wednesday, June30, 2010 -3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
On-going Consultations for Haitian TPS Applications every Wednesday from 3:00 to 6:00 Host: Catholic Charities Community Services for the Archdiocese of New York
Location:1011 First Avenue, 12th Floor, NY, NY (between 55th and 56th Streets)
Contact: (212) 419-3700 (intake number)
Thursday, July 1, 2010- Free Immigration Legal Assistance - 2:00pm-6:00pm
This will be an on-going legal clinic every Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Hosted by:Lutheran Social Services of New York and HaitianEarthquakeFamilySupportCenter sponsored by NYDIS, Brooklyn Community Foundation and Red Cross
Location:Haitian Family Support Center, 1783 Flatbush Ave (b/t Ave J & K)
Brooklyn, NY 11210 -- (917) 284-7938 – You must call to make an appointment
Thursday, July 1, 2010 – TPS Application Assistance Event - 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This is an on-going clinic that will be held every Thursday until July 20th -- during the TPS registration period.