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Immigrating to another country is nothing short of life-changing, and for many, it can be overwhelming. It takes time to adjust to the new country, along with support from family, friends, and the community. A wide range of social, cultural, and governmental organizations have fortunately stepped up to help immigrants throughout Massachusetts as they begin their journeys in the United States. If you or a loved one needs assistance with immigration law matters, you can count on LaFountain & Wollman P.C. Here, we offer some advice on where to find other important community resources.
Free and Low-Cost Legal Representation
Hiring an attorney can sometimes be expensive, but without one, a plaintiff or defendant is at a considerable disadvantage. Immigrants often have limited financial resources, lack an understanding of the courts and legal system, and don’t know which types of attorneys are best for their specific legal matters. This is where Legal Aid can help.
Legal Aid provides free legal representation to clients with select types of civil (non-criminal) cases. In Massachusetts, Legal Aid organizations are available to assist with such issues as:
- Divorce and child custody
- Domestic violence
- Eviction and foreclosure
- Landlord-tenant problems
- Unemployment, food, health, and disability benefits
- Scams targeting the elderly
- Special education
To connect with free and low-cost legal counsel in Massachusetts, use the Legal Resource Finder.
Meeting Immigrants’ Cultural Needs
It should go without saying that settling in a new country can be a culture shock. The Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) works to ease this transition by promoting participation in the state’s economic, social, and civic life. ORI offers a variety of programs to accomplish this mission, including:
- Financial Literacy for Newcomers (FLN): Getting a handle on America’s financial system is vital for surviving in it. FLN exists to help immigrants familiarize themselves with our economy so they can save, build wealth, and prepare for their and their families’ financial futures.
- Citizenship for New Americans Program (CNAP): Fully integrating into American life is a multifaceted process that takes time and effort. CNAP helps immigrants meet this goal with ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes, civics classes, and more.
- Education, Youth, Health & Other Services: These resources are broadly aimed at addressing the social and educational needs of refugees. Included are health and medical assistance, youth mentoring, and elder refugee services, among others.
Free English Classes
Learning English is one of the most important steps that immigrants can take to better their fortunes in the United States. Although there are plenty of bilingual-friendly businesses and establishments, having a grasp on the English language will almost certainly put an immigrant at an advantage. To this end, there are a fair number of free English classes available in Massachusetts.
One such resource is offered by the International Language Institute (ILI) of Massachusetts. ILI holds a free English program to help immigrants improve their language abilities for better educational, career, and social prospects. On top of this, ILI provides support for the cultural and community needs that many immigrants have, allowing them to make new friends and connections along the way.
The Immigrant Learning Center is another valuable community asset for immigrants. In addition to free, year-round English classes, this organization offers citizenship classes and help with job skills. The objective is to work with immigrants as they achieve greater independence and self-confidence in their language skills.
Where To Turn If You Need Help
Other immigrant resources to match your specific needs can be found online or through your local and state governments. If you’re seeking representation in an immigration law matter, our firm is ready to assist you. LaFountain & Wollman P.C. represents immigrants in matters involving green cards, citizenship and naturalization, and much more. Give us a call today to get started or to get connected with community resources in your area.