Immigration Law Education and Advocacy Project
The Immigration Law Education and Advocacy Project (ILEAP) is a sub-department of the Immigration Department at Catholic Charities, and was founded in 1996.
ILEAP’s mission is to provide low-cost, high-quality immigration-related legal services and educate communities in Southeastern Massachusetts concerning immigration law and policies.
We provide free and low-cost legal services for low-income refugees and immigrants in the Diocese. Types of cases we specialize in include applications for permanent residency (green cards) through family members, political asylum, Temporary Protected Status, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA or Dreamers), defense from deportation, citizenship and naturalization, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for children who were abused or neglected by one or both of their parents. We help our clients submit their applications and documents, and also go with them to court and government interviews.
In addition to client representation, ILEAP also presents educational workshops, trainings and conferences on current immigration trends and policies impacting immigrant communities in Southeastern Massachusetts.
We service the Fall River Diocese in Massachusetts which covers Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton, Attleboro, Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard; you can see our service map here.
Currently, the Immigration Department that includes ILEAP (as well as IVRP) is staffed by four attorneys, DOJ-Accredited Representative, four paralegals, and two AmeriCorps members. We are also joined by multiple volunteers and pro-bono attorneys on certain cases.
Our staff is multi-lingual and speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Cambodian Khmer. We also have access to other language speakers on an as-needed basis.
While based out of our main Fall River Office we will generally make appointments other area offices as needed. Please be aware that, during the Coronavirus Pandemic, all client meetings take place remotely via telephone.
To find out if ILEAP can take your case or give you an in-depth legal consultation, please call to make an appointment with us. We do not accept walk-ins.
For more information, or to make an appointment please contact:
Fall River Office
(508) 674-4681
