Central American Legal Assistance

Central American Legal Assistance Free and low-cost legal representation for Central and South Americans fighting removal. The majority of our clients are in danger of deportation.

Since 1985, Central American Legal Assistance (CALA) has provided free or low-cost legal services to thousands of individuals in New York’s Central and South American immigrant community. These individuals have fled political, gang-related, and/or state-sponsored violence in their home countries, and many have been subjected to torture. We work tirelessly to ensure that they are recognized for wha

t they are – refugees – and are entitled to remain lawfully in the United States. CALA has been recognized as one of a few outstanding providers of removal defense in the New York City community. In 2011, the Cardozo Law Review recognized us as one of the largest providers of pro bono/low bono removal defense in the New York City Immigration Court, despite our very small staff of just four attorneys and one accredited representative. Seehttp://www.cardozolawreview.com/content/denovo/NYIRS_Report.pdf In 2014, we were selected by the Immigrant Justice Corps to host two Immigrant Justice Fellows, a selection which recognized us as one of New York’s leading non-profits.

In a year where record numbers of asylum-seekers have arrived in New York City, many as a result of being used as politi...
11/29/2022

In a year where record numbers of asylum-seekers have arrived in New York City, many as a result of being used as political pawns by certain governors’ transportation stunts, the need for quality legal services and representation for immigrants in NYC has skyrocketed. There are plenty of good causes worthy of support on Giving Tuesday (and every day!) but please consider making a donation to team to help continue to fund our lucha for immigrants’ rights. ✊🏽
✨ donate at link in bio ✨

In a year where record numbers of asylum-seekers have arrived in New York City, many as a result of being used as politi...
11/29/2022

In a year where record numbers of asylum-seekers have arrived in New York City, many as a result of being used as political pawns by certain governors’ transportation stunts, the need for quality legal services and representation for immigrants in NYC has skyrocketed. There are plenty of good causes worthy of support on Giving Tuesday (and every day!) but please consider making a donation to team to help continue to fund our lucha for immigrants’ rights. ✊🏽
✨ Donate at link in bio ✨

A huge and well-deserved congrats and shout out to our Legal Director .axford on her win at the 2nd Circuit this week!Ev...
11/23/2022

A huge and well-deserved congrats and shout out to our Legal Director .axford on her win at the 2nd Circuit this week!

Even with the well documented brutality and impunity with which the Mara Salvatrucha in Honduras punish their enemies, it can be really hard to win protection for their victims who find themselves facing deportation. After waiting several months for a decisionC, this week the 2d Circuit issued its decision - recognizing that the Convention Against Torture protects these folks. Love and solidarity to and who briefed this case, and special thanks to NYIFUP for providing an incredible amicus brief on CAT! La lucha sigue ✊🏽

We are excited to share that last month we welcomed the amazing Emily Kase to the CALA team!Before joining CALA, Emily w...
02/09/2022

We are excited to share that last month we welcomed the amazing Emily Kase to the CALA team!

Before joining CALA, Emily worked as a Staff Attorney for The Door, representing detained minors, and as an Attorney Advisor for the New York Immigration Court. Emily received a Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law. She is fluent in Spanish.

Bienvenida a la lucha, Emily!

This week we are celebrating some of our amazing clients and their families. We at want to celebrate these incredible p...
12/23/2021

This week we are celebrating some of our amazing clients and their families. We at want to celebrate these incredible people, shining a light on their stories of resilience and hope. Some of them won asylum this past year. Others were finally able to reunite in the U.S. with family members after years of separation. Meanwhile, others were finally granted their green cards after years stuck in a backlog. This is what it means to them to have earned status in the US - in their own words. Please see below for translations.
✨
IMAGE TWO:
“To have been able to reach this wonderful country, to reunite with my family, and to be a lawful permanent resident has given me a second chance at life. I describe CALA as angels who God put in my path to guide me in this entire process. Thanks to God and each of the attorneys and representatives, I succeeded in my case. I will forever be grateful to CALA - many thanks for all your valuable help and for all you do for our community, as there have been many young people and families who have benefited.”

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With your support we can continue to help put more clients like these on the pathway to protection from removal. This holiday season, consider donating to our Lucha at www.centralAmericanlegal.info/donate (Link in Bio)

Thank you, and wishing you all a lovely holiday season!

This week we are celebrating some of our amazing clients and their families. We at want to celebrate these incredible p...
12/21/2021

This week we are celebrating some of our amazing clients and their families. We at want to celebrate these incredible people, shining a light on their stories of resilience and hope. Some of them won asylum this past year. Others were finally able to reunite in the U.S. with family members after years of separation. This is what it means to them to have earned status in the US - in their own words. Please see below for translations.
✨
IMAGE TWO:
“Having been granted asylum in the US means a lot to us. It allows us to feel safe, and gives us the documentation necessary to reach our goals, move forward, and contribute to this country. We got asylum thanks to CALA, which supported us, accompanied us, and advised us every step of the way. CALA became like family, always willing to help and collaborate. They made us feel home. Thank you CALA, without you it wouldn’t have been possible.”
✨
IMAGE FOUR:
“To me having been granted political asylum in this country has been a huge blessing to me and my family. I feel very happy and grateful to the attorneys who were with me from the beginning of our case to the very end. Many thanks to Katie for being an excellent lawyer and to all the CALA office personnel.”
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IMAGE TEN:

I am a citizen of Honduras, and this year the Immigration Judge granted my case allowing me to stay in this country. I feel very happy and at peace since I know by staying here I will be safer than in my country. Im very grateful with my attorney and with CALA for supporting me and others, giving us free legal services and showing solidarity towards others. I am very grateful.

✨

With your support we can continue to help put more clients like these on the pathway to protection from removal. This holiday season, consider donating to our Lucha at www.centralamericanlegal.info/donate (Link in Bio)
Thank you, and stay tuned for more client stories!

We at are dedicating these end of year posts to our many clients who - despite the countless challenges of 2021, includ...
12/20/2021

We at are dedicating these end of year posts to our many clients who - despite the countless challenges of 2021, including several last minute court postponements (or surprise reschedules) - have won permanent protection from removal in 2021. Stay tuned to our social media in the next few days for some additional posts showcasing our incredible clients.

To help us continue en la lucha, please consider making an end of year donation through the link in bio!

Felices fiestas!

https://www.centralamericanlegal.info/donate

Address

240 Hooper Street
Brooklyn, NY
11211

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(718) 486-6800

Website

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