Legal Services

 

CRIS provides a full range of legal services for those with immigration issues. We have a team of three full-time immigration lawyers and two 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.

Eligibility

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

Program Services

CRIS has three 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, U-Visa, T-Visa, travel documents, congressional inquiries, refugee adjustments, TPS, DACA, and fiance visa.

Current Legal Clinics

The CRIS Legal Services team currently hosts monthly intake days (legal clinics) for residents of Central Ohio from three specific: Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Haiti. These intake sessions are designed to be the first contact between a client and our attorneys; cases are not filed on the same day. There is no charge for intake for nationals of these countries. Nationals of Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Haiti interested in working with our attorneys must attend their country's designated intake (legal clinic) day.

NEW: Refugee Adjustment Day

Beginning in April of 2024, CRIS Legal Services will host a monthly Refugee Adjustment Day. U.S. immigration law requires refugees to apply for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status after they have been physically present in the U.S. for at least one year. The CRIS Refugee Adjustment Day is for any refugee who has been physically present in the U.S. for one year or more and needs to apply for lawful permanent resident status.

CRIS Refugee Adjustment Day details:

  • It will take place on the 1st Tuesday of the month, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM (or the first 25 clients). 

  • There is a $60 legal fee per application, with a maximum fee of $180.

  • Not everyone in the family needs to come in for the first appointment; only the head of household with the required information/documents.

List of required documents: 

  • Transportation Letter

  • I-94

  • Employment Authorization Card

  • Social Security Card

  • Passport (if available) 

  • I-693 envelopes (medical exam) if the client has them. If a client does not have them, CRIS’ legal team will provide information for medical providers. 

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

  • Refugee Adjustment Day

    First Tuesday of Every Month | 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

    Beginning in April of 2024, the Refugee Adjustment Clinic will be held on the first Tuesday of every month to help refugees who have been physically present in the U.S. apply for lawful permanent resident status. For more information, email CRIS paralegal Carolina Iporre.

    Email Carolina

  • Afghan Legal Clinic

    Second Tuesday of Every Month | 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

    The Afghan Legal Clinic is held on the second Tuesday of every month to help support Afghans in Central Ohio. This legal clinic is open to Afghan nationals who have questions related to their immigration cases. Our legal team has brief consultations with individuals who come to the clinic and can advise and assist persons with their immigration cases. Interpreters are available.

    Learn More

  • Ukrainian Legal Clinic

    Third Tuesday of Every Month | 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

    The Ukrainian Legal Clinic is held on the third Tuesday of every month to help support Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees in Central Ohio. Our legal team has brief consultations with individuals who come to the clinic and can advise and assist persons with their immigration cases (including re-registration for Temporary Protected Status). Interpreters are available. For more information, email CRIS paralegal Carolina Iporre.

    Email Carolina

  • Haitian Legal Clinic

    Fourth Tuesday of Every Month Opens at 8:30 AM

    The Haitian Legal Clinic is held on the fourth Tuesday of every month to help support Haitians in Central Ohio in need of immigration legal assistance. For more information, email CRIS paralegal Carolina Iporre.

    Email Carolina

IMPORTANT UPDATE

Scheduling with the CRIS Legal Team

As of February 1, 2024, we no longer accept walk-ins during our general intake on Thursdays. We now 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.

Nationals from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Haiti who wish to have an initial appointment with the CRIS Legal team must attend their designated clinic day (see information above). 

  • 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

    I-918 U Visa

    N-400 Application for Naturalization

    N-600 Application for Certification of Citizenship

    N-648 Disability Waivers

    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

    I-918 U Visa

    N-400 Application for Naturalization

    N-600 Application for Certification of Citizenship

    N-648 Disability Waivers

    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

    I-918 U Visa

    N-400 Application for Naturalization

    N-600 Application for Certification of Citizenship

    N-648 Disability Waivers

    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)

In the News + Immigration Policy Updates

  • Matter News: 'Afghan Refugees Endure Amid Delays, Uncertainty'

    Read More

  • New Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Designations for Four Countries

    Read More

  • The 180-Day Asylum Work Authorization Clock

    Read More

  • CRIS Attorney Vincent Wells Receives Service Award

    Read More

  • Ukrainian Re-Parole

    Learn More
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