Terms of Service
Refugee and Immigration Services
Catholic Charities Milwaukee
Because Catholic Charities has so many clients, there are rules that we need to follow. Before starting a case with us, we will ask that you review and sign a paper copy of these rules:
I. Starting a Case with Catholic Charities
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee serves clients in these counties: Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Dodge, Ozaukee, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Washington, and Walworth. If you do not live in one of these counties, we will not be able to take your case.
- Catholic Charities accept new clients only through $10 intake appointments. You can make an intake appointment by calling 414-643-8570, (Extension 4418) and talking with Gloria Maldonado. She will make your appointment with someone who handles your kind of case.
- Please make one intake appointment for each family member who needs immigration help. For example, if one family member wants to apply for citizenship and another wants to renew his green card, you would need to make two intake appointments.
- Catholic Charities’ program is dedicated providing high quality legal work for those who are low income. Therefore, you must verify your income by bringing a copy of your most recent tax return or pay stub from each working-member of your family to your first appointment. WE CANNOT START YOUR CASE BEFORE WE VERIFY YOUR INCOME. IF YOU DO NOT BRING PROOF OF INCOME TO YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT, YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT.
II. While You have an Immigration Case with Catholic Charities
- Catholic Charities sees clients by appointment only. If you do not have an appointment, no one will be able to see you.
- It is important that you come to your appointments on time. If you are more than ten minutes late, you will have to make another appointment.
- Whenever possible, please arrange childcare during your appointment at Catholic Charities.
- You can reach Catholic Charities staff by telephone or by email. Please understand that staff are usually with clients and, therefore, rarely have the opportunity to answer the telephone. If you choose to leave a voicemail, it is important to leave us call back number with area code. We often check voicemail messages from outside of the office and we cannot return your phone call with out a phone number, including area code.
- We ask that you initial a copy of each immigration form. This is your acknowledgement that you have proof read the form and that it is accurate.
III. Catholic Charities Fees
- Catholic Charities’ fees are posted in our waiting room. However, no one will be turned away for the inability to pay.
- We ask each client to sign a fee agreement. In this agreement, we will clearly tell you:
- What immigration work Catholic Charities will provide. Please read this portion of your agreement carefully. THIS MAY NOT INCLUDE ALL THE WORK NECESSARY FOR LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR OTHER FILING FEES WITH IMMIGRATION;
- The amount of Catholic Charities’ fee;
- The basis or rate of Catholic Charities’ fee;
- The expenses for which you will be responsible. Your payment to us includes only our fees. In addition to our fees, you will be responsible for all other fees. Examples of these fees are fees to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, for all certified court dispositions, all FBI fingerprinting fees and all police records;
- That Catholic Charities has an obligation to refund any unearned advanced fee, along with an accounting, at the termination of the representation;
- That Catholic Charities is required to submit any dispute about a requested refund of advanced fees to binding arbitration within 30 days of receiving a request for such a refund; and
- You to file a claim with the Wisconsin lawyers’ fund for client protection in the event the lawyer fails to provide a refund of advanced fees.
- Fees to Catholic Charities must be paid by money order or cashier’s check. We will not accept cash, personal checks, credit cards or debit cards.
- Catholic Charities asks to be paid upon mailing in your forms to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- If you choose to have Catholic Charities represent you or to interpret for you at an immigration interview, there will be an additional charge.
IV. After Catholic Charities has Completed its Work
- After Catholic Charities has completed your immigration work, there may be more steps that you must complete becoming a lawful permanent resident. You may choose to continue with Catholic Charities. If you do continue with Catholic Charities, we will ask that you sign a new fee agreement for the next portion of your work.
- After Catholic Charities has completed the immigration work stated in the fee agreement, we will close your file.
- Your file is your property. You may choose keep all your original letters from immigration and we will keep only copies. If you choose to take your originals, Catholic Charities will ask that you sign a receipt, acknowledging that you have all your originals.
V. Additional Rules
- Catholic Charities staff may not accept gifts.
- When we have bad weather, please call 1-414-643-8570, Extension 18, to ensure that our office is open. We will leave a voicemail as soon as we know that our office is closed.
- Confidentiality is very important to us. Therefore, please understand that we will talk to only you about your case. If your family, boss, social worker or even another worker at Catholic Charities asks us for information about you, we will not give that information without having your written permission on file.
Additional Resources
When you have to depend on your lawyer to help you navigate and understand your options, it is especially important to find someone trustworthy and competent.
Refugees coming to the United States must make several adjustments, and often have questions about green cards, citizenship, and work permits.
These three immigration mistakes could seriously hurt your chances of getting a green card, or lawfully immigrating to the United States.