The Irish International Immigrant Center assists immigrants from Ireland and from around the world as they integrate into American society, and with partner organizations, promotes reconciliation in Ireland. The organization is a vibrant, multi-service Welcome center that provides legal, wellness and education services, advocates for systemic change, and facilitates cross-cultural community building. The center's vision is of a society where all people are welcomed and valued and enjoy equal opportunities and protections.
What they do:
1. Immigration Legal Services
The IIIC’s Immigration Legal Services offers comprehensive, professional, and confidential services for non-citizens, regardless of their legal status or ability to pay.
They help them understand their immigration options and offer assistance navigating complex U.S. immigration laws.
Their dedicated staff and volunteer immigration attorneys provide free consultations, and low-cost forms assistance and case representation for a wide array of immigration concerns and citizenship applications.
Their services are available in English, Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole.
2. Wellness Services:
Settling into a new country can be an exciting, but sometimes daunting experience. With support from the Irish Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Emigrant Support Programme, the IIIC offers services that help individuals and families safely transition into American society.
Whether newcomers or long-time residents, they welcome immigrants in need, offering them professional care in a supportive environment.
3. Education Services:
IIIC’s Education Services is committed to supporting immigrants’ advancement in the workplace and in society. They offer courses that give immigrants the skills, education, and confidence that they need to earn a sustainable living, to contribute to economic development, and to integrate into society.
4. Learning Exchange Program:
The Irish International Immigrant Center provides young Irish people the opportunity to live and work in the U.S. for a year. They became an accredited J-1 Irish Work and Travel visa sponsor in 2008 and have supported nearly 2,000 graduates and students to date.
5. Advocacy:
Their goal is to keep Massachusetts a welcoming place for workers, students, and refugees from around the world, because all residents deserve justice, equality, and dignity.
They work in partnership with the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)and many other community based organizations to:
- -Promote Comprehensive Immigration Reform on a national level
- -Advocate for the rights and opportunities of immigrants and refugees
- -Work in solidarity with all immigrants to build bridges of understanding and community
