Complex Litigation Department

In May 2024, Catholic Charities Legal Services opened its first Complex Litigation Department ("CLD"). The program's objective is to provide high quality legal representation while tackling complicated issues such as human rights and due process abuses. The team consists of highly skilled and dynamic lawyers experienced in various areas of the law. Going toe-to-toe with the government, CLD lawyers have years of robust complex immigration litigation and business experience. The team is deeply committed to protecting the rights of vulnerable populations, advancing the law, and promoting freedom, justice, and safety for those seeking refuge and protection from persecution and violence.

CLD is responsible for managing appellate cases at USCIS, EOIR, and BIA, and is beginning its work with the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals. Although it is a newly established program, the team has addressed a diverse array of legal matters, including issues related to freedom of the press, human trafficking, visa adjustments, violations of due process, and instances where respondents are deemed incompetent to proceed with individual trials without legal representation. Since May, the team has received numerous referrals from detention facilities, such as Krome and Broward Transitional Center, both of which report a considerable number of due process complaints. Cases involving vulnerable populations or due process concerns are prioritized. The team provides assistance to both adults and unaccompanied minors facing removal proceedings.

Issues that have been litigated this year include a transgender individual being held at an all-male detention center; false allegations of communist party membership for Cubans seeking to adjust; and the issuance of parole documents to Cubans enrolled in the Migrant Protection Program. In addition, CCLS is now filing complex change of status applications for F-1, students as well as labor certifications, employment-based visas, and adjustments.

Most recently, given the recent swift changes in the immigration landscape made by the new administration; changes that could fundamentally alter established immigration laws and procedures, the team launched a project aimed at equipping CCLS staff and clients with accurate and timely information on immigration-related developments as they arise. CLD is developing a comprehensive index of all executive orders, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures affecting the process to alert the staff and clients of the challenges they may face and provide a suite of resources to keep clients notified and prepared for changes in migration law and policy.

Refugee Assistance Program (Legal)

Florida has a long history of welcoming refugees and others fleeing violence and persecution in their homeland. It is home to a growing number of newcomers—including countless fleeing Cuba and Haiti, who are eligible to receive certain federally-funded services for new arrivals that promote economic selfsufficiency and community flourishing.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, directly funds local communities’ efforts to provide core integration services to newcomer populations, including Cuban and Haitian refugees. In Fiscal Year 2024, Florida received $1.2 billion in resettlement resources to support communities welcoming newcomers. That represents an increase of 21.14% in resources from 2023.

In Florida, the Refugee Assistance Program funded by ORR is administered by the Department of Children & Families, who contracted with Youth Co-O, Inc. to offer such services. CCLS’s program provides employment-related immigration services to refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian Entrants, and others. Thanks to this program, we can offer a broad scope of legal services to people from Haiti and Cuba. These services cover a wide range of actions, from filing FOIA requests to ascertain the facts and procedural history of the individual’s immigration matter—to providing thorough legal representation in asylum cases; assisting an individual in adjusting their status to that of lawful permanent resident and completing their migration journey by applying for naturalization.

The humanitarian parole program for qualifying Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans announced in January 2023, continued active in 2024. Throughout the year, CCLS assisted many migrants from those countries, with those in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties eligible to be serviced under our program. Redesignation of Haiti for TPS was announced in 2024, and many Haitian nationals, such as those paroled into the U.S., or in removal proceedings were able to file for TPS through this program.

In 2024, CCLS successfully delivered 4,108 services under the Refugee Assistance Program, representing a 50.20% increase over the number of services provided in 2024. ORR programs pay for themselves. A February 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that the fiscal impact of refugees and asylees was significantly favorable at $123.8 billion. The estimated net fiscal benefit to the federal government was $31.5 billion; with an estimated $92.3 billion profit to state and local governments.

The Know Your Rights (KYR)

The Know Your Rights (KYR) sessions are conducted in the office. Following the KYR session, individuals who wish to consult with an attorney have the opportunity to receive a consultation on the same day or schedule one for a later date. Hosting the KYR sessions in the office facilitates easy access to legal consultations.

CIRCLE Services

At the end of 2023, CCLS secured a contract renewal, allowing us to continue the CIRCLE Program. In September 2024, CCLS was once again awarded a grant by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners. This Immigration Services program originated from a previous grant that was exclusively dedicated to providing TPS-related services to MiamiDade County residents. Recognizing the growing demand for a wider range of immigration services, CCLS successfully advocated for the program’s expansion to include general immigration services, such as free legal consultations.

Through this initiative, CCLS developed Community Immigration, Refugee, Citizenship, and Lawful Employability Services (CIRCLE Services)—a comprehensive program that integrates community education, legal screenings, targeted legal assistance in clinic settings, and direct representation for Miami-Dade County residents. The project provides education, counseling, and legal support to eligible immigrants who have a pathway under current law to obtain immigration benefits, refugee status, citizenship, or lawful employability.

With the support of our seven funded partners—AIJ, HUF, FANM, HLA, FLIC, MWC, SANT LA—and one unfunded partner, ONA, we have surpassed our target goals by over 200% in every aspect of the program. Throughout the year, in collaboration with our partners, we have served over 2,047 individuals across 72 clinics countywide. Additionally, in our office, we have provided assistance to over 3,403 individuals of various nationalities and completed more than 3,394 applications.

Virtual TPS and EAD Clinics

The collaborative hosts quarterly TPS clinics based on the needs of the community. We offered a hybrid model for virtual and in-person services during the clinic to make the services accessible to a wider demographic. The collaborative serves all TPS-eligible nationalities, including, but not limited to, Cameroon, Haiti, Venezuela, and Ukraine.

Miami-Dade County Immigration Clinics

The CIRCLE collaborative hosts quarterly in-person immigration clinics. We have been hosting these clinics in different districts throughout Miami-Dade County. We have provided legal reviews for partner organizations, consultation, and training for legal volunteers onsite and virtually during those clinics. CLS has completed more than a thousand TPS applications and/or TPS-related services individually and with our partners.

City Of North Miami Grant

In the first half of 2024, CCLS successfully completed the North Miami Small Grant program, exceeding the required service goals by over 150%. Later in the year, we were awarded an extremely small grant specifically dedicated to serving victims of crime. During the first half of the year, we were able to bring services directly to the community, meeting clients at libraries and other accessible locations within North Miami. Although the initial grant has ended, this new initiative is particularly significant as it allows us to assist victims of crime, including survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other qualifying crimes.

This program is especially critical because the individuals we serve are among the most vulnerable—many are undocumented, victims of crime, and often overlooked. Providing them with legal assistance and support can be life-changing, helping them secure immigration relief and protection.

Since July 2023, CCLS has partnered with the City of North Miami to address immigration challenges faced by local residents. By establishing a weekly presence in the City, we significantly improved accessibility and convenience for individuals seeking immigration assistance. Although we are no longer physically present in North Miami since June 2024, we continue to serve a significant population from the area. Our commitment to providing legal assistance remains strong, and we continue to support residents through various channels, ensuring they still have access to the vital services they need.

Naturalization Project

At Catholic Legal Services, we are dedicated to empowering individuals on their journey to U.S. citizenship. As the site leader for the New Americans Campaign (NAC) Miami, we play a central role in guiding eligible lawful permanent residents (LPRs) through the naturalization process, providing essential legal assistance and resources.

The NAC, a nationwide coalition of immigration organizations, aims to increase citizenship applications among the over nine million eligible LPRs. Through our leadership role, CCLS connects individuals with trusted legal support and vital information to simplify the path to naturalization. Each year, the Miami NAC hosts the Naturalization Mega Event, bringing together our community to support individuals in their citizenship journey. This clinic included virtual and hybrid sessions, as well as in-person clinics at key locations, including Barry University and faith-based institutions like Tabernacle of Glory and Sinai SDA Church. The four-day event ensured that naturalization was made more accessible.

Fast Track to Citizenship Program
In partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS), CCLS also offers the Fast Track to Citizenship Program, a grant-funded initiative designed to increase access to citizenship education. In 2024, eligible participants across several campus locations received intensive citizenship education and application preparation, empowering them to navigate the complex naturalization process with confidence. Through these initiatives, CCLS continues to lead efforts in providing accessible, effective services that guide individuals towards achieving U.S. citizenship.

Immigration Court Help Desk

This court-based educational program is implemented by the EOIR to improve the efficiency of immigration court hearings by increasing access to information and raising the level of representation for individuals appearing pro se before the EOIR/BIA. In the interest of the efficiency and protection of fundamental rights of respondents appearing pro se before the Immigration Judges, ICH educates and provides limited legal advice to nondetained pro se respondents in removal proceedings about the immigration court process and dynamics. ICH provides individuals with the tools to make informed decisions about their legal cases. The program provides legal orientations (GIS, IIS and SHW), friend of court services, intake clinics, pro-bono attorney referral and placement, outreach, and pro-se assistance in completing motions and forms of relief to serve around 300,000 pro se respondents appearing in the Miami Immigration Court.

In 2024, ICH - administered by CLS in Miami – served around 6000 participants. ICH has in person services at the Miami Immigration Court two times a week and has in person services at CLS offices in Miami and Hollywood but continues to provide some of its services remotely through electronic documents, applications, and video conferencing.

Family Group Legal Orientation Program

Like our Immigration Court Help Desk program, the Family Group Legal Orientation Program ("FGLOP") provides legal orientations (MFGO, SFGO and SHW), friend of court services, pro-bono attorney referral and placement, outreach, and pro-se assistance in completing motions and forms of relief to serve families. In 2024, the Miami Immigration Court had almost 22,135 dedicated docket cases, most of who are from Honduras, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador and some Brazilians. In 2024, FGLOP served over 92 families. The dynamics on Dedicated Docket are fast paced because immigration judges are supposed to render a decision on asylum claims within 300 days and counted from their first Master hearing.

In both ICH and FGLOP programs, CLS authorized providers assist immigration courts with effective and efficient case management as Friend of the Court (under FOTC program). As such, they are a valuable tool to the immigration judges, assisting pro se respondents in navigating the complex immigration court system, and thereby creating greater efficiency and fairness by helping respondents to better understand court proceedings and ensure maintenance of a clear understanding of their rights, obligations, and relief for which they may be eligible.

As part of the FGLOP services rendered, we were able to get reopen a case for a young girl who was placed on the dedicated docket with her mother. The girl’s mother later left the country and left the girl in the care of her father without giving them any information on the girl’s case. The young girl was ordered removed in absentia because her mother did not appear in court on the date of the hearing.

Fee For Service/Pro-Bono

The Fee For Service program provides low cost and free legal services for clients who do not qualify under one of the agency’s many grants. During calendar year 2024 the Fee For Service ("FFS") program provided direct legal services to clients seeking employment authorization, attorney consultations, and temporary protected status. The FFS program also did a significant number of family-based petitions. In total, we provided more than 80 different types of services under the Fee for Service program during 2024. Many of the services are still in progress.

The program represents individuals in removal proceedings, including bond hearings. In one case, a Nicaraguan national was detained at Broward Transitional Center. He was arrested by ICE after allegedly failing to provide a motorcycle endorsed license. He was separated from his family, including his U.S. citizen wife and two minor daughters. Our team quickly prepared a bond request with the immigration court and were able to successfully obtain a bond on his behalf.

While most of the clients the program serves can afford a nominal fee for our services, building capacity to assist clients on a Pro-Bono basis would help reach those who are truly and completely destitute. We can accomplish that goal through the generous support of our donors and funders.

National Qualified Representative Program

The "NQRP" is a public defender model for detained individuals found to be incompetent. It helps those who lack the capacity to help themselves. One client our office represented was deathly afraid of returning to Haiti. However, it was very difficult for him to articulate this fear. Our team was able to hire experts to better understand his story and his fear of returning to Haiti. The judge, relying mostly on these experts’ testimony, granted his asylum claim. We receive approximately two dozen appointments per year. The NQRP provides the necessary safeguards, procedural protections, and guarantees the overall fairness of removal proceedings for one of our most vulnerable clients.

LABRE Program

Expanding far beyond its humble origins as a small homeless outreach program, The Labre Project has become a vital part of CCLS’s community outreach. Boasting of a team of 9 dedicated legal professionals, The Labre Project represents some of South Florida’s most vulnerable individuals.

Taking inspiration from the life of St. Benedict Joseph Labre, The Labre Project was founded to serve the immigration needs of the homeless in South Florida. The program represents clients before the Immigration Court, USCIS, and ICE across various shelters. Attorneys and paralegals currently provide direct services at Camillus House, Chapman Partnership, and Lotus House, in addition to receiving unhoused clients in the office on Mondays and Tuesdays in the main downtown office.

The Labre Project also serves the medically vulnerable who have immigration legal needs. For example, the program helps individuals living abroad apply for humanitarian paroles when seeking life-saving medical treatments in the United States. The team also represents individuals in removal proceedings who have mental-health issues and victims of crime. The Labre Project provides Legal Orientations at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, a parish community that is home to many immigrant families. Twice a month, The Labre Project provides orientations and direct services onsite at the parish with a dedicated team of lay volunteers. In 2024, The Labre Project provided over 3,500 services, including 700 attorney consultations, 400 FOIA Requests, 43 residency applications, 110 asylum applications, and 600 work permits.