On Day 1 of President Donald Trump’s newest administration, he signed at least seven executive orders drastically impacting how agencies across the United States would handle immigration cases.
These executive orders have led to confusion and concern within migrant communities, and lawyers across Indiana have seen an increase in calls from people hoping to learn about their rights and information needed to navigate this new era of American politics.
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Here are some of the agencies providing resources to those communities:
A Girl Scout helps hand out flags provided by Daughters of the American Revolution to newly naturalized citizen Wednesday, July 3, 2024, during a naturalization ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis.
Immigrant Welcome Center
The Immigrant Welcome Center provides a range of educational, legal, language assistance and community-based services.
The Immigrant Welcome Center is located at 2049 North Meridian St. in Indianapolis and can be reached at 317-808-2326.
Website: www.immigrantwelcomecenter.org
A few services the center offers:
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Citizenship Classes and workshops: The Immigrant Welcome Center offers workshops to help individuals complete the application for naturalization. The organization also offers resources for people hoping to become a naturalized citizen of the United States. The test requires people to pass an oral exam on U.S. history, civics, and government.
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Natural Helper Program: A program aimed at assisting immigrants who are transitioning to life in Indiana. The Immigrant Welcome Center will partner migrants with volunteers who can help them establish a home in Indiana and find employment in the state.
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Pathway to Literacy: The organization offers adults hoping to learn English a 15-week class, that focuses on teaching people the oral language, reading and phonics of English.
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Legal Services: The Immigrant Welcome Center can provide people with legal referrals to law firms that specialize in issues dealing with their immigration cases or by navigating people to find the right legal resources in Indiana.
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The Exodus Refugee provides services and resources to refugees and asylum seekers who have made their way to Indiana through government programs or religious-based programs.
The Exodus Refugee Immigration office is located at 2457 East Washington St., Suite A in Indianapolis and can be reached at 317-921-0836.
Website: www.exodusrefugee.org
A few services Exodus Refugee offers:
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Reception and Placement programs: During a refugee’s first 90 days of arriving in the United States, the organization and volunteers will help refugees get off their feet and integrate into living in Indiana by offering them housing, food, clothing, case management services, transportation, local services and access to interpreters.
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Employment Services: In hopes of promoting self-sufficiency and integration into the United States, the organization offers refugees services to learn how to navigate U.S. workplace culture and helps them obtain employment.
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Language services: The organization helps refugees adjust to life in the United States by offering “Language, Cultural Orientation and Readiness for Employment” classes, which are designed to teach practical English language skills as well as the necessary skills to navigate life in America.
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Legal services: For refugees looking to settle in America on a long-term basis, the organization offers people services and resources to navigate the country’s legal system. These services can range from helping people obtain their green cards, reunite with family members still waiting to come to the United States, or becoming citizens by completing the application for naturalization.
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Indiana Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm that provides free legal assistance to eligible low-income residents living in Indiana. One division of its services is the Immigrants’ and Language Rights Center, which aims to provide immigrants and populations with limited English living in Indiana with adequate legal services.
The Indiana Legal Services office is located at 1200 Madison Ave., Suite 300 in Indianapolis and can be reached at 317-631-9410
Website: www.indianalegalservices.org/ilrc/
A list of cases that Indiana Legal Services can help people resolve:
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Immigrants who are survivors of labor and sex trafficking crimes and are trying to apply for U Nonimmigrant status (U visas) and T Nonimmigrant status for temporary immigration benefits.
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Filing petitions under the Violence Against Women Act.
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Starting and completing the naturalization process.
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Cases dealing with affirmative asylum and related matters.
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Cases dealing with removal defense.
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Adjustment of status cases, for people hoping to become a lawful permanent resident.
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Family-based immigration cases.
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Cases dealing with language access matters and language discrimination.
For people hoping to apply for these services, including for immigration cases, they should call 1-844-243-8570, which is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or complete an online application.
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Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@indystar.com or follow him on X @1NoePadilla.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Non-profits providing legal and community-based services for migrants