Legal Services

View current legal clinic calendar.

 

CRIS provides a full range of legal services for those with immigration issues. We have a team of four full-time immigration lawyers and four paralegals who help hundreds of people each year. Read below to find out who is eligible for CRIS legal services, what services are provided, and how to schedule an appointment.

Scheduling with the CRIS Legal Team

We do not accept walk-in/general intake appointments. We have an appointment-only system to enhance our ability to provide the most effective, professional services. Clients may call 380-LAW-CRIS (380-529-2747) to schedule an initial appointment with the attorneys. There is a $25 intake fee. These intake appointments are designed to be an initial consultation; cases are not filed during intake sessions.

Eligibility

Anyone with an immigration issue, regardless of status, is eligible.

Program Services

CRIS has four full-time attorneys who assist clients with immigration legal services, assisting with virtually all immigration matters. At this time, we do not offer legal assistance for court cases. Available services include but are not limited to the following petitions and filings (see below for detailed lists of what each of our immigration attorneys offer): work authorization, green card, family-based sponsorship, adjustment of status, family reunification, asylum, naturalization and citizenship, request for evidence, VAWA, T-Visa, refugee adjustments, TPS, DACA, and fiance visa.

CRIS Citizenship Class and Naturalization Intake Days

Are you ready to become a U.S. citizen? You may be eligible to apply if you:

  • Are at least 18 years old

  • Have held a green card for 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen)

  • Have lived continuously in the U.S. during that time, without any trips abroad longer than 6 months

CRIS hosts free weekly citizenship classes for eligible individuals. These classes include N-400 application assistance and practice interviews to help eligible individuals prepare for naturalization. For more information, call the CRIS office at 614-235-5747. To apply for classes, complete the short form at the link below.

Apply for CRIS Citizenship Class

Current Legal Clinics

The CRIS Legal Services team currently hosts monthly intake days (legal clinics) for certain individuals in Central Ohio with specific legal immigration needs:

  • DACA/I-90/I-765 Clinic

  • Naturalization Clinic (N-400, N-600)

  • Refugee & Asylee Adjustment Days

These intake sessions are designed to be the first contact between a client and our attorneys; cases are not filed on the same day. See information below for additional details.

View the current legal clinic calendar here.

Refugee and Asylee Adjustment/DACA Renewal/I-90/I-765 Clinic

CRIS Legal Services hosts two clinics a month for Refugee and Asylee Adjustment, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) Renewal, I-90 (green card replacements), and I-765 (work authorizations) on the first and third Tuesdays of every month from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM (or the first 25 clients). This clinic is designed to be the first contact between a client and our licensed attorneys for adjustment of status, DACA renewal, work authorization renewal, and/or application for green card replacement.

Required documents:

  • DACA Renewal

    • Proof of DACA Status — Previous approval notice, previous Work Authorization Card (Category C33), previous I-821D Application (filing copy)

  • Refugee and Asylee Adjustment of Status

    • Transportation Letter

    • I-94

    • Employment Authorization Card

    • Social Security Card

    • Passport (if available) 

    • I-693 envelopes (medical exam) if you have them. If you do not have them, CRIS’ legal team will provide information for medical providers. 

Filing Fees (must be check or money order):

  • Check 1: $85 for I-821D (DACA)

    • Made out to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”

  • Check 2: $520 for I-765 (Work Authorization)

    • Made out to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security"

  • Legal Fees: Free!

Spanish, French, and Dari interpreters will be available, but the availability of interpreters of other languages is not guaranteed. Please bring an interpreter with you if you do not speak English or one of the listed languages.

All CRIS Legal Services occur at the CRIS Office at 4645 Executive Drive. See below for days, times, and contact information for additional questions.

Naturalization Clinic

CRIS Legal Services offers a Naturalization Clinic on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month. The clinic will follow the same format as our previous clinics: first-come/first-served, limited number of available appointments; individuals should arrive prepared with all necessary documents

Please note that applicants are generally required to demonstrate English proficiency as part of the naturalization process. Exceptions may apply based on age and length of permanent residency. If you have questions about one of these exceptions, please email one of our paralegals. We also have naturalization classes available. For more information on the classes, see the class description above and/or contact Hannah Bartlow. 

  • DACA Renewal/I-90/I-765 Legal Clinic

    First and Third Tuesdays of Every Month | 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM (or first 25 people)

    The DACA Renewal Legal Clinic is held on the first and third Tuesdays of every month to provide DACA and work authorization renewal in Central Ohio. Our legal team has brief consultations with individuals who come to the clinic and can advise and assist persons with their DACA renewal, email a CRIS paralegal.

    Send Email

  • Refugee and Asylee Adjustment Day

    First and Third Tuesdays of Every Month | 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM (or first 15 people)

    Refugee and Asylee Adjustment Day is on the first and third Tuesdays of every month to help refugees and asylees who have been physically present in the U.S. apply for lawful permanent resident status. For more information, email a CRIS paralegal.

    Send Email

  • Naturalization Clinic

    Second and Fourth Tuesdays of Every Month | 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM (or first 20 people)

    Naturalization Clinic is on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month to help eligible individuals with the N-400 and N-600 applications. For more information, email a CRIS paralegal

    Send Email

  • I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

    I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e)

    I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

    I-131 Application for Travel Document

    I-134 Invitation Letter

    I-360 VAWA

    I-485 Application to Adjust Status

    I-601 and I-601A Waiver and Provisional Waivers

    I-730 Refugee/Asylee Petition

    I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions of Residence

    I-765 Application for Employment Authorization

    I-821 TPS (Temporary Protected Status)

    I-821D DACA (deferred action for childhood arrivals)

    I-864 Affidavit of Support

    DS-260 Visa –consulate processing

    I-912 Request for Fee Waiver

    N-400 Application for Naturalization

    N-600 Application for Certification of Citizenship

    RFE (request for evidence)

    Responses to Notices of Intent to Revoke or Intent to Deny

    Congressional Inquiries

    Representation in local CIS offices (Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati)

  • I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

    I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e)

    I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

    I-131 Application for Travel Document

    I-134/Invitation Letter

    I-360 VAWA

    I-360 SIV

    I-485 Application to Adjust Status

    I-589 Application for Asylum

    I-601 and I-601A Waiver and Provisional Waivers

    I-730 Refugee/Asylee Petition

    I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions of Residence

    I-765 Application for Employment Authorization

    I-821 TPS (Temporary Protected Status)

    I-821D DACA (deferred action for childhood arrivals)

    I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application

    I-864 Affidavit of Support

    DS-260 Visa –consulate processing

    I-912 Request for Fee Waiver

    N-400 Application for Naturalization

    N-600 Application for Certification of Citizenship

    RFE (request for evidence)

    Responses to Notices of Intent to Revoke or Intent to Deny

    Congressional Inquiries

    Representation with Asylum hearings at the Chicago Asylum Office

    Representation in local CIS offices (Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati)

  • I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

    I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e)

    I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

    I-131 Application for Travel Document

    I-134 Invitation Letter

    I-360 VAWA

    I-485 Application to Adjust Status

    I-601 and I-601A Waiver and Provisional Waivers

    I-730 Refugee/Asylee Petition

    I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions of Residence

    I-765 Application for Employment Authorization

    I-821 TPS (Temporary Protected Status)

    I-821D DACA (deferred action for childhood arrivals)

    I-864 Affidavit of Support

    DS-260 Visa –consulate processing

    I-912 Request for Fee Waiver

    N-400 Application for Naturalization

    N-600 Application for Certification of Citizenship

    RFE (request for evidence)

    Responses to Notices of Intent to Revoke or Intent to Deny

    Congressional Inquiries

    Representation in local CIS offices (Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati)

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