Programs and Services
The Institute's Program and Services
In the tradition of the settlement houses at the turn of the century, the International Institute of the East Bay helps immigrants and refugees adjust to life in a new country. Through its legal and social services, the Institute helps newcomers with immigration, English language acquisition, and employment needs, and meets a critical need for information on their rights and opportunities as newcomers to the United States.
Immigration Legal Services
The Institute helps families that have been separated by the
migration experience to reunify through family visa petitions, helps legal
residents gain citizenship, assists undocumented battered immigrant women and
children gain legal status, helps with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), with
Nicaraguan And Central American Relief Act (NACARA) applications, and provides
advice and counsel on immigration legal matters.
Information Clinic
Free, brief counseling on immigration matters is available at the Institute on Tuesdays from 11:00am to 1:00 pm and on Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Meet with an attorney or paralegal to discuss your situation. Sessions are held to 15 minutes. If your case is complex and requires more than the time allowed, you will be asked to pay a nominal fee for the consultation.
NEW! Deportation Education and Defense Program
The Institute is in the process of developing a Deportation Defense Program to assist low-income immigrants who are facing deportation. It is currently offering free legal consultations at its Deportation Defense Clinic, and legal representation on a sliding scale on very limited cases. It is also working to build a pro-bono and low-cost attorney panel in the community in order to increase the availability of free and low cost services for low-income immigrants. The Program also works to educate immigrants about how to avoid detentions and deportations, and will launch an advocacy campaign to reform unfair and unjust immigration laws and policies that have resulted in widespread deportations and created a crisis within the immigrant community. Consultations are by appointment. Contact Naomi Onaga at extension 322 to make an appointment or for more information.
The Deportation Defense Program is a community based program and cannot be fully implemented without your support. Please click here to make a donation or to offer volunteer support.
Violence Against Women Program
The Institute is a leading provider of assisting immigrant women who are survivors of domestic violence with their immigration issues. It assists immigrant women with VAWA petitions, U-visa applications, and limited gender asylum and VAWA cancellation of removal cases in order to help battered women regularize their immigration status. To make an appointment for a consultation, call Gladis at extension 301.
Click here for a list of additional Resources for Battered Immigrant Women
Community Education
Information enables immigrants and refugees to make informed decisions. The Institute explains to immigrants and refugees their rights and obligations under our immigration laws and explains the differences among pending Congressional bills on immigration. Adult school teachers, church leaders, nonprofit program staff, immigrant grassroots groups, civic organizations, health providers and more can call Herb Castillo at x324 to make arrangements. All presentations are free.
Training and Employment Program
The Training and Employment Department provides job training and placement, job readiness instruction, and skill development for immigrants and refugees.
Caregivers Program
Caregivers Job Training and Placement program provides intensive training for immigrant and refugee women in the area of childcare while they build their English skills. Job placement and retention services follow training, which includes early childhood development, health and safety training, internship placements, and career and personal development.
The program also provides trained childcare providers for professional families in need of in-home day care.
Contact Carol at extension 308 to enroll in a class, or referrals of trained childcare providers to employ in your home.
Computer Training
The Institute offers computer instruction to teach basic computer and Microsoft Office skills to job seekers. Classes are offered in Microsoft Word and Quickbooks, and are available Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. Contact Carol Perez at extension 308 or Leul Afework at extension 337 for more information.
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